Kaiser Pharmacy Workers to Join Nurses, Others on Strike

Thousands of nurses and healthcare workers continue third week of Unfair Labor Practice strike against Kaiser Permanente

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Pharmacy and lab employees will launch a strike against Kaiser Permanente on Monday, joining thousands of nurses and other healthcare workers who have been on an Unfair Labor Practice strike against the healthcare provider for the past three weeks. The United Food and Commercial Workers union represents over 4,000 Kaiser Permanente frontline healthcare employees who work as pharmacy assistants, pharmacy technicians, clinical lab scientists, medical lab technicians, and other roles.

Why it matters

This strike highlights ongoing labor tensions between Kaiser Permanente and its unionized workforce, with workers alleging unfair labor practices and demanding better pay and benefits. The walkout by pharmacy and lab staff will further disrupt Kaiser's operations in Southern California, where the company says it is working to maintain patient care despite the strikes.

The details

The UFCW members will begin picketing at select Kaiser medical centers throughout the Southland on Monday morning, with "massive solidarity rallies" planned at facilities in Los Angeles, Panorama City, and Downey. This comes as roughly 31,000 members of the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals continue their own strike, which they vow to maintain until they receive a satisfactory contract offer from Kaiser.

  • The UFCW members will walk off the job at 7 a.m. on Monday, February 10, 2026.
  • The nurses' strike began three weeks ago and is ongoing.

The players

United Food and Commercial Workers union

The union representing over 4,000 Kaiser Permanente frontline healthcare employees who work as pharmacy assistants, pharmacy technicians, clinical lab scientists, medical lab technicians, and other roles.

United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals

The union representing approximately 31,000 registered nurses, pharmacists, nurse anesthetists, nurse practitioners, midwives, physician assistants, rehab therapists, speech language pathologists, dietitians and other specialty healthcare professionals employed by Kaiser Permanente.

Kaiser Permanente

A large healthcare provider that operates hospitals, medical centers, and other facilities across Southern California.

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What’s next

The UFCW and other unions have filed Unfair Labor Practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging that Kaiser unlawfully refused to bargain in good faith. The outcome of these charges could impact the ongoing contract negotiations.

The takeaway

This strike highlights the ongoing labor tensions between Kaiser Permanente and its unionized workforce, with workers demanding better pay, benefits, and working conditions. The walkout by pharmacy and lab staff, combined with the nurses' strike, will significantly disrupt Kaiser's operations in Southern California as the two sides continue to negotiate.