Major Kaiser Healthcare Workers Strike Ends, Union Claims New Momentum

UPDATE: The five-day strike involving over 30,000 Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers has officially ended, marking a significant shift in negotiations. The United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP) announced today that there is “new momentum” as caregivers return to their posts.

The strike, initiated on October 14, 2025, affected more than 500 Kaiser facilities across the West Coast, with employees protesting against “unsafe staffing, stagnant wages, and deteriorating patient care conditions.” Of the 46,000 union members involved, over 31,000 were based in California, alongside workers from Hawaii and Oregon, including registered nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals.

In a statement, UNAC/UHCP emphasized the importance of their historic walkout, saying, “Caregivers are united, determined, and backed by a growing movement for safe staffing and fair contracts.” The union highlighted a recent announcement from the Joint Commission regarding new standards on medical facility staffing as a critical victory that will reshape future contract negotiations.

Union President Charmaine S. Morales stated, “Unsafe staffing is unsafe care,” asserting that employers like Kaiser must prioritize safe staffing as a national patient safety mandate. She added, “This strike may be over, but the fight for patient safety is not.” Representatives from UNAC/UHCP are scheduled to meet with Kaiser officials for further bargaining on October 22-23.

Kaiser Permanente responded to the strike, calling it “unnecessary and disruptive” but welcomed back the union employees. They reiterated their commitment to high-quality care and thanked the thousands of workers who stepped in during the strike. Kaiser’s statement highlighted a focus on economic issues in the upcoming negotiations, emphasizing that wages are the primary concern. The healthcare giant has proposed a 21.5% total base wage increase over four years along with enhancements to medical plans and retiree benefits.

As healthcare costs continue to rise, Kaiser stated that maintaining affordable and accessible coverage is crucial. “Our offer does all this,” they concluded.

The end of the strike marks not just a return to work for healthcare professionals but also a renewed commitment to advocating for patient safety and fair labor practices. The developments within negotiations in the coming weeks will be closely watched, as both sides seek to address the pressing issues that sparked this significant labor action.