Kaiser workers ratify 4-year contract

DOWNEY — Kaiser Permanente workers have ratified a new four-year collective bargaining agreement, officially ending contentious labor negotiations and approving a contract that runs through Sept. 30, 2023.

Ratified by the employees represented by the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions, the agreement covers more than 84,000 unionized Kaiser Permanente healthcare employees across the country.

The agreement provides annual pay increases, maintains health and retirement benefits, and creates a program to reduce the national shortage of healthcare workers.

“This agreement will help to keep Kaiser Permanente a great place to work for all and is aligned with our commitment to greater affordability for our members and customers,” said Arlene Peasnall, senior vice president and interim chief human resources officer for Kaiser. “We are grateful for our skills and compassionate employees who are dedicated to our members, patients, communities and each other.”

Kaiser Permanente and union negotiators reached a tentative agreement on Sept. 25 following nearly five months of active bargaining that began in April 2019. The agreement was ratified by union members across Kaiser over the course of October.

Kaiser Permanente workers picket outside the Downey hospital in February 2018. Photo by Alex Dominguez