Our Alliance bargaining team met with the employer again on Monday to negotiate economics. We introduced proposals to raise wages across-the-board, strengthen and expand benefits, and raise standards in impacted regions. As expected, KP executives offered no proposals of their own and continued to harp on affordability without any mention of patient care and service.
“Kaiser Permanente continues to allege our wages are too high. Not only have they not provided accurate data to support their claim, but their response also comes at the heels of the most difficult 16 months our members have experienced. What happened to ‘heroes work here?’ It’s unbelievable how quickly KP has forgotten about the frontline workers who risked their lives every day they went into work,” said Eric Gill, Financial Secretary-Treasurer of UNITE HERE! Local 5.
“We are still recovering from the trauma of the pandemic while Kaiser Permanente continues to thrive. KP made $16.3 billion in net profits between 2018 – 2020 and their membership grew by 591,000 over three years. In the first quarter of this year alone, KP gained an additional 129,000 members. KP thrives because we provide the best care and service, every time, everywhere, even during a worldwide pandemic. Our members deserve to thrive too,” said Jodi Barschow, DNP, MSN, RN-BC, President of OFNHP.
“As a 16-year registered nurse, I’m disappointed that KP does not see the value of investing in patient care and those who provide it. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the rate of change in health care. We all must adapt. KP should be talking about broader access to health care, especially for our patients who’ve delayed care due to COVID-19. Instead, they’re talking about reducing costs for those who provide the care and service to our patients,” said Nicolasa Avey, RN, KP San Diego.
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UNITED TO HEAL | UNITED TO WIN
Many of us were on the brink of burnout before COVID began. We stepped up during the pandemic, but it has cost us emotionally and physically. In order to maintain the same level of excellent patient care and service, we must have safe staffing in-house with fair wages across-the-board.
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