Video above: KTLA’s coverage of the Kaiser Permanente strike starting Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
(KTLA) – The A five-day strike involving tens of thousands of Kaiser Permanente health care workers It’s over, and the union representing the workers says there is now “new momentum” in negotiations.
Kaiser said in a statement that the strike ended at 7 a.m. on Sunday, October 19.
The strike began last Tuesday at more than 500 Kaiser facilities across the West Coast, with employees taking to picket lines in protest. United Nurses Association of California/Consortium of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP) “Employment is insecure, wages are stagnant, and patient care conditions are deteriorating,” officials claimed.
Of the union’s 46,000 striking members, more than 31,000 were based in California — the other striking workers were concentrated mainly in Hawaii and Oregon. They included registered nurses, pharmacists, nurse anesthetists, nurse practitioners, midwives, physician assistants, rehabilitation specialists, speech-language pathologists, dieticians and other specialty health care professionals.
Kaiser Permanente officials Put out a statement Regarding the strike on Tuesday morning, they described it as “unnecessary and disruptive” while responding that they had gone on strike “A strong and comprehensive presentation” To the union.
But the health care workers did not accept the offer, and after five days of strike, they began returning to work on Sunday. according to Statement issued by UNAC/UHCPThe message behind the “historic” withdrawal was clear.
“Caregivers are united, determined and supported by a growing movement for safe employment and fair contracts,” the union said.
The union pointed out New Joint Commission Standards On medical facility personnel who were demobilized during the strike as a major support to their mission. UNAC/UHCP says the new standards will “reshape the landscape of contract negotiations moving forward.”
Union president and registered nurse Charmaine S. said: Morales: “The Joint Commission has finally said what nurses have known all along: Unsafe staffing is unsafe care.” “Employers like Kaiser can no longer treat staffing like a budget line. It is now a national patient safety mandate, and UNAC/UHCP will make sure it is implemented.”
Union representatives are expected to meet with Kaiser officials to negotiate later this month.
The union statement concluded, “This strike may be over, but the struggle for patient safety is not over yet.” “Caregivers return to work united, energized and ready to keep pushing for a fair contract that puts patients first.”
In a statement to KTLA, Kaiser Permanente representatives said they welcome the return of union employees and remain focused on “continuing to deliver high-quality care.”
The healthcare giant also offered special thanks to the thousands of workers who stepped in to help during the strike as they head into future negotiations.
“Kaiser Permanente and the coalition have jointly agreed to resume negotiations on October 22 and 23. The focus will be on economic issues,” Kaiser Permanente’s statement said. “While the coalition has publicly emphasized employment and other concerns, wages are the reason for the strike and the primary issue in the negotiations. We appreciate the hard work of our employees and have presented a strong contract proposal that includes 21.5% total base wage increases over four years, and enhances their high-value medical plans and retiree benefits.”
“At a time when the cost of health care continues to rise sharply, and millions of Americans are forced to make the difficult choice to remain without coverage, it is critical that we maintain high-quality, accessible and affordable health care coverage – while attracting and retaining the best talent and keeping Kaiser Permanente a great place to work and receive care,” the statement continues. “Our show does all of this.”