Kaiser Pharmacy, Lab Workers End 3-Day Strike as Nurses Remain on Picket Lines

Over 3,000 Kaiser employees return to work, but 31,000 nurses continue open-ended walkout

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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More than 3,000 Kaiser Permanente pharmacy assistants, technicians, and clinical lab scientists represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union ended a three-day targeted strike on Thursday. However, approximately 31,000 nurses and healthcare professionals under the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP) union remain on an open-ended walkout that began on January 26.

Why it matters

The split between the UFCW and UNAC/UHCP unions highlights the ongoing labor tensions at Kaiser Permanente, one of the largest healthcare providers in Southern California. While the return of pharmacy and lab staff may alleviate some service delays, the continued nurses' strike could still disrupt patient care across the region.

The details

The UFCW members, which include pharmacy assistants, technicians, and clinical lab scientists, walked off the job on Monday to protest what they described as "Kaiser's labor violations throughout negotiations." The three-day strike affected Kaiser facilities across several counties in Southern California. Meanwhile, the much larger group of 31,000 UNAC/UHCP members, including registered nurses, pharmacists, and midwives, have been on an open-ended strike since January 26.

  • On January 26, 2026, 31,000 UNAC/UHCP members began an open-ended strike.
  • On February 9, 2026, over 3,000 UFCW pharmacy and lab workers launched a three-day targeted strike.
  • On February 12, 2026, the UFCW workers returned to work.

The players

United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW)

A labor union representing over 3,000 Kaiser Permanente pharmacy assistants, technicians, and clinical lab scientists in Southern California.

United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP)

A labor union representing approximately 31,000 Kaiser Permanente nurses, pharmacists, and midwives in Southern California who have been on an open-ended strike since January 26.

Kaiser Permanente

One of the largest healthcare providers in Southern California that is facing labor unrest from both the UFCW and UNAC/UHCP unions.

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What they’re saying

“Our strength and solidarity this week proved we are prepared to escalate again if Kaiser refuses to respect workers.”

— UFCW (UFCW Statement)

“We are fed up with being overworked, disrespected, undervalued, and with Kaiser's illegal attempts to intimidate us out of getting a fair contract.”

— Angelica Muro, Pharmacy Technician, West Los Angeles (UFCW Statement)

“The strike is unnecessary, disruptive for our members and patients, and counterproductive to reaching a contract agreement.”

— Kaiser Permanente (Kaiser Permanente Statement)

What’s next

There are currently no new national bargaining dates scheduled between Kaiser and the unions. UFCW leadership has indicated they remain "prepared to escalate again" if negotiations do not progress at the national level.

The takeaway

The split between the UFCW and UNAC/UHCP unions highlights the ongoing labor tensions at Kaiser Permanente, with thousands of healthcare workers either returning to work or continuing an open-ended strike. The situation underscores the challenges facing one of California's largest healthcare providers as it navigates complex contract negotiations with multiple unions.