Nurses and other workers at Kaiser Permanente facilities in Oregon and Southwest Washington—and elsewhere around the U.S.—have authorized a potential strike, as they move to increase pressure on the health care giant days before a major labor contract is set to expire.

Kaiser’s Northwest division provides health care to some 600,000 people, and a major work stoppage would likely hinder operations at a time when health systems are reporting severe financial strain.

Still, the likelihood of an actual strike remains unclear. In a statement, Kaiser describes the strike authorization vote as disappointing, but also as “a common bargaining tactic used to rally union members.” The union is required to give a 10 day notice of any strike, which Kaiser says it has not received.

Negotiations betwe

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