Thousands of healthcare professionals employed by Kaiser Permanente in California walked off the job Tuesday morning — including at medical centers in Santa Clara and Oakland — to push for higher pay and better staffing, union officials said.

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The strike began at 7 a.m. Tuesday and is expected to continue through 7 a.m. Sunday and marks the largest action in the union’s 50 year history, according to a press release from United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals, the union representing the striking workers. Negotiations for a new contract ended Oct. 10.

Kaiser’s pharmacies and medical offices will remain open during the strike, said Lena Howland, senior media relations and PR representative for Kaiser Permanente Northern California. Some

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