31,000 Kaiser Permanente workers begin strike in Northern California, Hawaii

Thirty-one thousand registered nurses and other frontline workers launched a five-day strike at Kaiser Permanente facilities in California and Hawaii Tuesday morning, following months of what they claim have been protracted and fruitless labor contract negotiations with management.

That number could swell to 46,000 by the end of the strike if other workers join the picket line, the workers’ union, the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals, said Monday.

The strike is set to last until Sunday. The UNAC/UHCP says it’s the largest strike in the union’s history.

Kaiser facilities will remain open during the strike, though some appointments may be shifted to virtual care or be rescheduled, according to a company spokesperson. The health system will also r