KAISER: WE ARE READY TO STRIKE!
The results are in,
and an overwhelming 98% voted YES to strike!
SEIU Local 49 members at Kaiser have all made it very clear: We will take action if Kaiser Permanente does not come back to the bargaining table to properly address our priorities, including staffing and patient care. These past two weeks saw a super majority of workers turn out with 98% of you casting your yes votes. While we do not want to strike, if Kaiser continues to refuse to invest its BILLIONS—$3 BILLION in just the first 6 months of 2023—in patients and frontline caregivers by hiring more staff and settling a contract that includes livable wages, WE ARE READY!
KAISER, YOU CAN AFFORD TO DO BETTER!
What Are Next Steps?
We have one more national bargaining session scheduled for September 21–22. Kaiser can prevent a potential unfair labor practice strike by returning to the table to bargain in good faith and reestablish the Labor-Management Partnership we have cultivated since 1997—the last time we had to strike in order to get the fair contract we deserved and establish the five star reputation our patients had come to rely on. With this vote, our elected bargaining team has the ability to call for up to a two-week strike after Spetember 3o. Our goal continues to be to reach a fair contract.
Are you ready to take action?
If we all work together, there’s no stopping us! One way you can join the effort is to sign up today for Strike Captain training. Strike Captains LEAD on all actions—up to and including a strike. They also:
Ensure the team is successful by:
Helping leaders understand their role
Communicating with them regularly through a text group
Walking departments with them to build support
Modeling, observing, and giving feedback
Dealing with challenges immediately
Lead by example by:
Proactively building unity, confidence, and excitement in the team
Standing up publicly (including wearing a very cool Strike Captain vest)
Learning and growing as a leader, including participating in all trainings
Upcoming training dates:
Saturday, September 16 & Saturday, September 23
What's Next?
Purple up on September 21 & 22 as a show of solidarity with our bargaining team!
Download a virtual background and signature image to show your digital solidarity!
Check out our new Kaiser Strike Resource page on our website! It includes the Kaiser Strike Vote Schedule, a Kaiser Strike FAQ, and a list of helpful Worker Resources you may be able to use during the strike.
If you have any questions, talk to a Kaiser Bargaining Team member or contact Contract Specialist by emailing KaiserMRC@seiu49.org or calling/texting 503-782-6228.
