Staff Chula Vista Today
Authorities and users of the healthcare system should anticipate the presence of protest contingents at Kaiser Permanente hospitals and clinics across the county and state, following an official 10-day strike notice issued by 31,000 healthcare professionals affiliated with the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP).
According to the union, the strike over unfair labor practices is scheduled to begin on Monday, January 26, and will continue until an agreement is reached, with protest lines planned from Los Angeles to San Diego, as well as in other regions of California and Hawaii. In total, pickets are expected at nearly 20 hospitals and around 200 Kaiser clinics.
In San Diego County, UNAC/UHCP confirmed that contingents will gather in front of Kaiser Permanente hospitals and clinics, so patients and families are advised to anticipate extra travel time and possible operational adjustments. In parallel, mobilizations are also expected at Kaiser facilities in Los Angeles, the Bay Area (Oakland), and Honolulu, among other locations.
UNAC/UHCP explained that the strike notice follows the release of a report on January 15 that, according to the union, documents multimillion-dollar financial reserves and questionable investments by Kaiser, while staffing shortages and delays in access to care persist. The contract between the union and Kaiser expired on September 30, and negotiations — the union stated — have been stalled for more than a month.
In December, the organization filed an unfair labor practice complaint with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), accusing Kaiser of bypassing the national bargaining process and interfering with the good-faith dialogue initiated in May 2025. Federal law requires a minimum 10-day notice in the healthcare sector to ensure continuity of care and allow hospitals to prepare.
UNAC/UHCP represents registered nurses, pharmacists, anesthetists, practitioners, midwives, medical assistants, rehabilitation therapists, speech pathologists, nutritionists, and other professionals. In California, one in four residents receives care through Kaiser, while in Hawaii the system serves 272,000 members.
“We are not striking to make noise. We authorized a strike to secure safe staffing that protects patients, fair workload standards, and the respect and dignity that have been denied to us,” said Charmaine S. Morales, RN, President of UNAC/UHCP. She added that Kaiser can end the mobilization by returning to the bargaining table and engaging in good-faith dialogue.
Among the core issues, the union cited staffing safety, wages that do not meet the high cost of living, retirement security, and respect for the bargaining process.
In light of the announcement, the community is urged to stay informed and consider alternate routes and flexible schedules in areas near Kaiser hospitals and clinics where protesters are expected to gather in the coming days.