Kaiser Permanente and SEIU: A Look at the 2019 Contract Negotiations
Kaiser Permanente is one of the largest healthcare providers in the United States, serving over 12 million patients. Its workforce is equally massive, with over 200,000 employees, including nurses, doctors, and support staff.
The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) represents over 85,000 Kaiser Permanente employees across eight states. Every three years, the SEIU and Kaiser Permanente engage in contract negotiations to determine wages, benefits, and working conditions for these employees.
In 2019, negotiations were particularly contentious, with the SEIU going on strike for a week in October. So, what were the issues at play, and what did the resulting contract look like?
The primary sticking point in negotiations was wages. The SEIU was seeking a 3% wage increase for employees, while Kaiser Permanente was offering a 2% raise. Additionally, the SEIU wanted to address wage disparities between different job classifications. For example, custodians and food service workers make significantly less than nurses and doctors, despite all being part of the same bargaining unit.
Another significant issue was the increasing workload for healthcare workers. The SEIU wanted to address understaffing and ensure that employees had enough time to provide quality care to patients. They also aimed to reduce mandatory overtime.
The SEIU went on strike in October after negotiations stalled. The strike lasted a week and included picket lines and rallies across multiple states. While the strike was in progress, the SEIU and Kaiser Permanente returned to the bargaining table and reached a tentative agreement.
The new contract included a 3% raise for all employees, with some workers in high-cost areas receiving an additional 1%. The contract also included provisions to address wage disparities and increased staffing to alleviate workload issues. Additionally, the SEIU and Kaiser Permanente agreed to invest $130 million in professional development for employees.
Overall, while the 2019 contract negotiations between Kaiser Permanente and the SEIU were contentious, the resulting contract addressed several significant issues facing healthcare workers. With a 3% wage increase and provisions for reduced workload and professional development, employees are better positioned to provide quality care to patients.
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