Kaiser strike: thousands sent to picket line
Tens of thousands of healthcare workers have gone on strike at Kaiser Permanente hospitals in four US states over wages and staffing shortages. Picketing began on Wednesday at hospitals in California, Colorado, Oregon, and southwest Washington. The Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions is seeking a 25% raise over four years and a $25-per-hour minimum wage for all workers across the US, while Kaiser has offered a 13%-16% raise over four years and a $23 minimum wage for California workers. The contracts for 75,000 nurses, ER techs, respiratory therapists, dietary workers, and home health aides expired on 30 September.
