31,000 Kaiser Permanente Workers Launch Open-Ended Strike

Nurses and other frontline staff demand better wages and staffing from the healthcare giant.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 1:47am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An estimated 31,000 registered nurses and other frontline Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers in California and Hawaii have launched an open-ended strike to demand better wages and staffing from the healthcare provider. This is the second major walkout by these employees in recent months, as contract negotiations have broken down.

Why it matters

The strike highlights ongoing tensions between healthcare workers and large providers over pay, benefits, and staffing levels - issues that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The outcome of these negotiations could set precedents for similar disputes at other major healthcare systems.

The details

The striking workers, represented by the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals, say wages have not kept up with inflation and there is insufficient staffing to meet patient demand. They are asking for a 25% wage increase over four years, while Kaiser has offered 21.5%. Kaiser says its employees already earn 16% more on average than their peers.

  • The strike began on Monday, January 27, 2026.
  • A previous five-day strike by these workers ended in October 2025, but talks broke down in December.

The players

United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals

The union representing the 31,000 striking Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers.

Kaiser Permanente

A large not-for-profit healthcare provider that operates medical offices and hospitals across the western United States.

Arezou Mansourian

A physician assistant on the union's bargaining team.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We will continue to push Kaiser to stop their egregious unfair labor practices against the frontline workers who deliver the best care for their patients and billions in profit to do the right thing, and come back to the table to bargain in good faith.”

— Union bargaining committee (ksgf.com)

“Illegal threats are a line that cannot be crossed. This union official's actions have compromised the national bargaining process and undermined both parties' ability to continue good-faith bargaining.”

— Greg Holmes, Chief Human Resources Officer, Kaiser Permanente (ksgf.com)

“We know it's a pain right now, but it's so that we can take care of you better in the future.”

— Arezou Mansourian, Physician Assistant, Union Bargaining Team (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.