Kaiser Pharmacist Strike Still On In NorCal Despite Union Deal

San Francisco CA

14 November, 2021

7:56 PM

Description

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Tens of thousands of Kaiser Permanente will remain on the job this week after unions reached a tentative agreement with the health care giant on Saturday, officials announced. But pharmacists in Northern California were still expected to walk off the job Monday, according to multiple reports. The health care giant and the Alliance of Health Care Unions agreed on a four-year contract covering nearly 50,000 health care employees in 22 local unions, according to union spokesman Jeff Rogers. "This contract protects our patients, provides safe staffing, and guarantees fair wages and benefits for every Alliance member," said Hal Ruddick, executive director of the alliance. Pharmacists were not part of that agreement, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. Bargaining was expected to continue with the local units representing Kaiser pharmacists in Northern California and the Pacific Northwest, as well as a group of engineers. "We hope to reach agreements very soon," Kaiser spokesman Steve Shivinsky said. The company received a 10-day notice from the Guild for Professional Pharmacists amid a contract dispute that will trigger a strike beginning mid-month and likely ending Nov. 22. The 10-day work stoppage will likely impact operations at all outpatient pharmacies in the region, Kaiser Permanente said in a statement. Californians who rely on Kaiser's pharmacies were urged to fill their prescriptions ahead of the Nov. 15 walk off. Kaiser's hospitals will remain open, officials said. "We encourage you to avoid refill delays by using our free mail order delivery service," the company said. Monday's strike involving other Kaiser health care workers was set to become one of the largest in Golden State history and would have affected 366 hospitals in the Southland, with potentially 21,000 registered nurses, therapists and more set to walk off the job in Southern California alone. Some 7,400 members of United Steelworkers were planning to join picketers in the Southland as well. Health care workers were set to hit picket lines Monday to fight a proposed two-tier wage system and dire staffing shortages spurred by the pandemic. Last month, nearly one-third of all Golden State hospitals reported critical staffing shortages, CalMatters reported. Kaiser backed down from the two-tier pay system that would have paid those hired after 2023 less than current employees and offered fewer health protections. Here's what was included in the tentative agreement Saturday: Guaranteed across-the-board wage increases each year through 2025.No reductions to family medical and dental coverage.Maintaining generous retirement income benefits and employer- subsidized retiree medical.Introduction of the Alliance Bonus Plan, which provides annual payouts for achieving new mutually agreed-upon objectives to address affordability.Opportunities for career growth and advancement.READ MORE: CA Kaiser Strike Averted After Workers Reach Tentative Agreement The Associated Press contributed to this report.