Kaiser mental health workers strike for six months

Kaiser Permanente mental health workers in Southern California are nearing the six-month mark of their strike. On Tuesday, they held a protest in San Diego, where they staged a "die in" to draw attention to their concerns about patient care and safety. The workers lay silent on the steps of the company’s administration building for three minutes. They believe that the long strike has increased the risk of suicide among patients, as care is not being provided promptly. Union representatives claim that Kaiser is failing to meet proper care standards. They say that patients are facing long wait times for appointments, with up to 44 weeks for autism assessments and many not receiving necessary therapy. However, Kaiser denies these claims, stating that they offer timely care for urgent needs and generally provide appointments within six days for nonurgent issues. The National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW) is leading the strike, which includes around 2,400 workers. They have received complaints about Kaiser’s practices since the strike began but have not yet made any public decisions about the findings of their investigation. Another point of contention is the amount of planning and preparation time workers receive. The union is demanding more hours per week, a situation complicated by disagreements over pensions and wages. Workers claim that their wages are significantly lower than those in similar jobs in the healthcare market. Striking workers are currently living without pay. Many, like licensed marriage and family therapist Kortney Diesel, are struggling financially during the strike. Despite their hardships, workers are determined to continue their fight for better conditions and pay.