Kaiser Permanente’s response to CNA press release about strike authorization

On Monday, March 5, 2018, the California Nurses Association (CNA) issued a press release to announce that the union had completed a strike authorization vote with its members. The union’s press release is not a notice that a strike will occur. Federal law prohibits a labor organization from engaging in a strike at any health care institution without first giving at least 10 days’ notice in writing to the institution. We have not received such notice from CNA. Kaiser Permanente has been bargaining in good faith with CNA and we have offered to meet with CNA at any time and as often as necessary to reach an agreement.

The union’s press release resulted in a few inquiries to Kaiser Permanente from the media. Here is Kaiser Permanente’s response:

Kaiser Permanente has been bargaining in good faith with CNA to reach an agreement since last July. We have had 40 bargaining sessions, and we successfully reached multiple tentative agreements around operational proposals, including nurse involvement in workplace safety projects. Our bargaining team firmly believes that we have not exhausted all avenues to reach an agreement at the table. We have offered to meet with CNA at any time and as often as necessary to reach an agreement.

Providing care for our members and patients is our top priority. We are confident in the contingency plans in place to continue to provide safe, high quality care.

Getting a strike authorization is a common tactic for labor organizations and one that we anticipated might occur. We respect and value our nurses, who are the best in health care. We are proud that Kaiser Permanente is a recognized leader in health care quality and safety.  Our proposals will continue to keep our nurses among the best compensated both locally and in the country.