Kaiser Permanente Returns To “Normal Operations” After Strike – KXL

PORTLAND, OR – Officials say Kaiser Permanente is resuming normal operations after 30,000 employees nationwide ended a five-day on Sunday, October 19th.

“We are deeply grateful to our front-line care teams who leaned in to ensure the continuity of outstanding patient care last week,” said the Kaiser officials. “Our facilities were staffed by physicians, experienced managers, and trained staff, along with nearly 6,000 contracted nurses, clinicians, and others who worked with us during the strike.”

In Oregon, employees walked the picket line at Kaiser Westside Medical Center in Hillsboro, Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center in Clackamas, Interstate Medical Center-Central in Portland, and Kaiser North Lancaster in Salem.  In Washington, employees also walked out at Cascade Park Medical Center in Vancouver and Kaiser Longview-Kelso Medical Center in Longview.

Members of the Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals claimed they were walking off the job last week after months of failed negotiations with the Kaiser bargaining team.

“The workers have spent months at the bargaining table trying to get real solutions to the staffing crisis, fair wages and a voice in how care is delivered” union leaders said.

Both sides have agreed to resume bargaining on October 22nd and 23rd with the focus on economic issues.