Thousands of unionized Kaiser Permanente registered nurses and other health professionals began a five-day strike Tuesday in California and Hawaii amid ongoing contract negotiations -- but Kaiser officials said affected facilities remain open with some adjustments.
Workers represented by the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals began picketing at 7 a.m. at locations across the region, including at these locations in San Diego County:
- Zion Medical Center in Grantville (4647 Zion Ave.)
- San Diego Medical Center in Kearny Mesa (9455 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.)
- San Marcos Medical Center (360 Rush Dr.)
According to the union, picketing at Zion Medical Center was expected to occur Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday; picketing at the Kearny Mesa hospital was expected to happen Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday; picketing at the San Marcos hospital was expected Tuesday-Saturday.
All strikes were set to run from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Union officials said the strike was scheduled to end 7 a.m. on Sunday.
Participating workers include registered nurses, pharmacists, nurse anesthetists, nurse practitioners, midwives, physician assistants, rehab therapists, speech language pathologists, dietitians and other specialty health- care professionals, according to the union.
"We do not take the decision to strike lightly. A strike is always a last resort, reached only after every other option has been exhausted," the union said in a statement issued Sunday. "Over the past several months, our bargaining teams have met with Kaiser Permanente at both the local and national tables in good faith.
"When Kaiser requested mediation in recent weeks, we agreed in the hope of achieving a breakthrough. We've made ourselves available to meet anytime, anywhere throughout the 10-day notice period -- and beyond."
"Despite these efforts, Kaiser has not agreed to a contract that delivers on the core priorities of the frontline health care professionals who make Kaiser work every day. We're speaking up for better care."
Kaiser Permanente said it prepared contingency plans to ensure services during the strike.
(photo: kgtv)