Last November, leaders representing more than 50,000 nurses and medical staff in the Kaiser and Alliance of Health Care Unions came to a tentative agreement with Kaiser Permanente. This possible deal averted strikes that in all likelihood would have disrupted patient care at hospitals in the midst of new variant outbreaks in the COVID pandemic.
The Los Angeles, CA Kaiser Permanente attorneys at Rager & Yoon – Employment Lawyers has the experience to take on Kaiser Permanente and their affiliates. As a team, we are used to standing up to the medical giant, always protecting our clients from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
Walking Out for Fair Wages
After Kaiser Permanente planned to create a two-tiered wage system with new hires receiving lower pay, thousands of employees in California, Colorado, Oregon, amongst other states threatened to walk out of the Kaiser’s medical network facilities and strike for fair wages and protections.
Representatives of the Kaiser and Alliance of Health Care Unions claim the two-tiered system deepens the staffing crisis of nurses during a pandemic. The proposed walkout brought Kaiser Permanente representatives to the table with leaders of the 22 local unions.
No specific financial details were released, but union officials did put out a statement discussing a tentative deal that includes workers receiving four-year contracts with annual wage increases through 2025. Health and retirement benefits and the introduction of a new bonus plan were also included in the agreed-upon deal.
The statement claims these new contracts will guarantee fair wages and benefits for union members and provide better staffing practices. In turn, these actions will protect the patients being cared for in Kaiser Permanente’s network.
Kaiser Permanente is one of the largest not-for-profit healthcare networks and managed-care organizations in the United States. They are also one of the largest employers in California. The conglomerate reported almost $24 billion in operating revenues last quarter.
Kaiser Permanente affiliates include:
- Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc.
- Kaiser Foundation Hospitals
- The Permanente Medical Group (TPMG)
- Southern California Permanente Medical Group (SCPMG)
The mammoth of the medical industry has a long history of employees with complaints regarding discrimination and unfair treatment. Amongst these complaints include:
- Disciplinary actions
- Firing and layoffs
- Hiring decisions
- Job assignments
- Performance reviews and promotions
- Training opportunities
- Wages and benefit
After the unions vote on the tentative agreement, and if it is ratified, the agreement will be retroactive to Oct. 1, 2021.
When should I contact a lawyer?
If you have been impacted by discrimination, harassment, or retaliation at the hands of Kaiser Permanente or their affiliates, it is important to contact the California Kaiser Permanente attorneys at Rager & Yoon – Employment Lawyers. It is our pledge to investigate all angles of a claim with diligence and compassion.
We are not afraid to match the aggressive methods of employers and their legal teams to ensure the fair treatment of our clients. We use comprehensive approaches to make sure workers, especially healthcare workers, are fairly compensated for the important work they do.
Contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling us at 310-527-6994.
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