Surgeries delayed, chemo canceled, Kaiser patients say, as nurses walk off job in massive strike
Distressed patients who had surgeries and vital treatment postponed due to a massive strike by California health care workers expressed their frustration as the action got under way Tuesday.
The action saw tens of thousands of Kaiser Permanente nurses, physicians assistants, rehab specialists and more walk off the job at 7 a.m. over wages and staff levels, leaving many patients questioning how to access vital medical care.
Striking healthcare workers holding signs that read “ULP Unfair Labor Practice STRIKE” outside a hospital in San Diego. Mike Blake
Members of the United Nurses Association of California/Union of Health Care Professionals — which represents more than 40,000 registered nurses and health workers across California and Hawaii — began the strike after contract talks with Kaiser stalled at the end of 2025.
Workers have accused the health care giant of failing to invest in staff, despite the company offering a state-backed pay bump.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/surgeries-delayed-chemo-canceled-kaiser-patients-say-as-nurses-walk-off-job-in-massive-strike/ar-AA1V2s1Q]
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https://www.foxla.com/news/kaiser-permanente-strike-california-hawaii-2026
The backstory:
According to the union, they have been bargaining with Kaiser since last May. However, the union filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging that Kaiser walked away from negotiations in December.
The union further claims the company attempted to bypass the established national bargaining process.
According to union leadership, the strike is a response to Kaiser’s failure to invest in safe staffing levels and timely access to quality care.
What they're saying:
"We're not going on strike to make noise," said Charmaine S. Morales, RN, president of UNAC/UHCP. "We're striking because Kaiser has committed serious unfair labor practices and because Kaiser refuses to bargain in good faith over staffing that protects patients, workload standards that stop moral injury and the respect and dignity that Kaiser caregivers have been denied for far too long."
Morales added, "Striking is the lawful power of working people, and we are prepared to use it on behalf of our profession and patients."
The other side:
Kaiser Permanente maintains that it has made a fair and competitive offer to the union.
Camille Applin-Jones, senior vice president at Kaiser Permanente Southern California, released the following statement in response:
"We have been informed that United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals have agreed to return to local bargaining where we look forward to being able to finalize new contracts for our employees and their families.
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Helpful hint: Kaiser has been purposefully understaffing for DECADES.
They spend millions on PR while burning out skilled professionals!
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