Thousands of Kaiser Permanente Nurses Continue Strike

RIVERSIDE (CNS) - Kaiser Permanente nurses and health care workers in
the Riverside area joined their counterparts across the state and in Hawaii
today for the fourth day of an open-ended strike alleging unfair labor
practices amid prolonged contract talks.
  

Nurses at Riverside Medical Center, 10800 Magnolia Ave., are among
roughly 31,000 members of the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of
Health Care Professionals who have vowed to stay on strike until a fair
contract agreement is reached. UNAC/UHCP members include registered nurses,
pharmacists, nurse anesthetists, nurse practitioners, midwives, physician
assistants, rehab therapists, speech language pathologists, dietitians and
other specialty health care professionals.
  

The strike began at 7 a.m. Monday.
  

``We're not going on strike to make noise,'' said registered nurse
Charmaine S. Morales, 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.
  

``Striking is the lawful power of working people, and we are prepared
to use it on behalf of our profession and patients,'' Morales said.
  

Workers on the picket lines will focus on the what they say is a
growing crisis caused by Kaiser's failure to invest in safe staffing levels,
timely access to quality care and fair wages for frontline caregivers.
  

The union filed an unfair labor practice charge against Kaiser with
the National Labor Relations Board alleging the company walked away from the
bargaining table in December and has attempted to bypass the agreed-upon
national bargaining process. The union had been bargaining with Kaiser since
last May.
  

Picket lines went up Monday at Kaiser hospitals and clinics in
Northern California, Central California, Riverside, San Bernardino and San
Diego counties, as well as in Hawaii.
  

A statement released by Kaiser Permanente said it has plans to ensure
members and patients receive safe, high-quality care.
  

``Our focus remains on reaching agreements that recognize the vital
contributions of our employees while ensuring excellent, affordable care. We
have proposed 21.5% wage increases -- our strongest national bargaining offer
ever -- and we are prepared to close agreements at local tables now. Employees
deserve their raises and patients deserve our full attention, not prolonged
disputes.''
  

Kaiser has also posted strike guidance for its members on its websites.
  

``If a strike does happen, our hospitals and medical offices will stay
open.'' it states. ``Some pharmacies would close. We have robust plans in
place to ensure continued care.
  

``We may need to reschedule some nonurgent appointments and elective
surgeries. If you have an appointment scheduled on a possible strike date,
please don't cancel or reschedule. We'll contact you if we have to reschedule
your appointment.''
  

Camille Applin-Jones, senior vice president at Kaiser Permanente
Southern California, described Kaiser's latest contract offer as ``one of the
strongest nursing contract offers in California this year'' once step increases
and local adjustments are factored in.
  

``Despite the union's claims, this strike is about wages. This open-
ended strike by UNAC/UHCP is unnecessary when such a generous offer is on the
table. The strike is designed to disrupt the lives of our patients -- the very
people we are all here to serve,'' Applin-Jones said.
  

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