Wednesday, January 28, 2026-More than 31,000 registered nurses and front-line health care workers employed by Kaiser Permanente have launched an open-ended strike across California and Hawaii, demanding better wages, safe staffing levels, and improved working conditions.
The walkout one of the largest health care strikes so far this year began early Monday morning at dozens of hospitals and hundreds of clinics, as members of the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals refused to return to stalled contract negotiations. The union says Kaiser has undermined bargaining and failed to address critical issues that directly impact patient care and worker well-being.
Striking workers include not just bedside nurses but also pharmacists, midwives, physician assistants, rehab therapists, speech language pathologists, dietitians, and other specialized care professionals, highlighting the broad scope of the labor stoppage.
Union leaders argue that staffing shortages and wages that have lagged behind inflation are compromising patient safety and care quality, and they are calling for a 25% wage increase over four years and enforceable staffing protections. Kaiser has offered a 21.5% increase over the same period, stating that its current pay rates are already competitive but acknowledging ongoing negotiations.
Kaiser Permanente says it will keep facilities open during the strike by adjusting services, shifting some appointments to virtual care, and rescheduling elective procedures, though union organizers warn that continued pressure on already strained staff could escalate disruptions.
The walkout marks a significant escalation in labor tensions at one of the nation’s largest nonprofit health systems, as health care workers push for sweeping changes while Kaiser and union negotiators grapple with deep disagreements over compensation, staffing, and the future of patient care across its network in California and Hawaii.
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