Kaiser Mental Health Workers Striking In 35 California Cities

OAKLAND (KCBS) — About 2,600 Kaiser Permanente mental health professionals started a weeklong strike Monday morning protesting what they claim is a lack of staffing that's affecting patient care.

The workers, including psychologists, therapists and social workers represented by the National Union of Healthcare Workers, plan to picket in 35 California cites.

John Nelson, Vice President of Kaiser Permanente's Government Relations, said told KCBS the strike will put patients at risk.

"The union's decision to call on our mental health care workers to walk away from their patients for a week is part of the union's ongoing bargaining strategy. It's not warranted; it's, we believe, inappropriate.

He said the health plan has increased staffing statewide by 25 percent in the past three years, while membership grew by 8 percent during the same period.

But union president Sal Roselli said workers are striking because there's not enough staff to handle Kaiser's increasing patient load.

"Kaiser says it's provides quality care and it's simply not true," he said. "When these psychologists push back and say, 'We don't have enough openings.' Kaiser disciplines these folks for speaking up."

The National Union of Healthcare Workers was formed five years and has been unable to reach a contract agreement since.

Nelson says patients' critical needs will be met during the strike but that some non-urgent appointments are being rescheduled.

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