United Food and Commercial Workers locals representing Kaiser Permanente clinical lab scientists and medical lab technicians in Riverside and five other Southern California counties announced Friday their members had voted overwhelmingly to authorize their bargaining team to call an unfair labor practice strike.
“This vote sends a strong message to Kaiser: We’ve had enough of their union-busting tactics that undermine workers and silence our voices. They need to stop delaying, stop attempting to divide the Alliance of Healthcare Unions, and get back to negotiating a fair contract,” according to a statement from The UFCW Locals 324, 770, and 1428 Bargaining Committee.
There was no reply to an email sent Friday night to Kaiser Permanente seeking a response.
A strike authorization vote does not necessarily mean there will be a strike.
Kaiser Permanente workers in Southern California are seeking “safe staffing and sustainable workloads” and “industry-leading compensation and wage equity,” according to the locals.
The locals also represent Kaiser Permanente health care employees who work as pharmacy assistants, pharmacy technicians, clinical lab scientists, medical lab technicians, and clinical and administrative workers in Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Ventura counties.