Kaiser Nurses, Health Care Workers Strike Across Inland Empire

Fifth day of open-ended strike over unfair labor practices and contract negotiations

Jan. 30, 2026 at 11:31am

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Nurses and healthcare workers at Kaiser Permanente facilities in Riverside County and across California have entered the fifth day of an open-ended strike, alleging unfair labor practices and calling for a fair contract agreement. The strike involves around 31,000 members of the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals, including registered nurses, pharmacists, and other specialized healthcare professionals.

Why it matters

This strike highlights ongoing tensions between Kaiser Permanente and its healthcare workers over staffing, workload, and compensation issues. The union has accused Kaiser of unfair labor practices and refusing to bargain in good faith, while Kaiser has countered with a claim of offering its "strongest national bargaining offer ever." The outcome of these contract negotiations could have significant implications for patient care and the working conditions of thousands of healthcare professionals.

The details

The strike began at 7 a.m. on Monday, with picket lines going up at Kaiser hospitals and clinics across Northern California, Central California, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego counties, and Hawaii. The union has filed an unfair labor practice charge against Kaiser, alleging the company walked away from the bargaining table in December and attempted to bypass the agreed-upon national bargaining process.

  • The strike began at 7 a.m. on Monday, January 30, 2026.
  • The union and Kaiser Permanente have been bargaining since last May.

The players

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

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

Kaiser Permanente

A large integrated healthcare organization that provides medical care and coverage to millions of members across the United States.

Charmaine S. Morales

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

Camille Applin-Jones

Senior vice president at Kaiser Permanente Southern California.

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What they’re saying

“We're striking because Kaiser has committed serious unfair labor practices and because Kaiser refuses to bargain in good faith over staffing that protects patients, workload standards that stop moral injury and the respect and dignity that Kaiser caregivers have been denied for far too long.”

— Charmaine S. Morales, President, UNAC/UHCP

“Despite the union's claims, this strike is about wages. This open- ended strike by UNAC/UHCP is unnecessary when such a generous offer is on the table. The strike is designed to disrupt the lives of our patients -- the very people we are all here to serve.”

— Camille Applin-Jones, Senior Vice President, Kaiser Permanente Southern California

What’s next

The National Labor Relations Board will review the union's unfair labor practice charge against Kaiser Permanente. The outcome of this review and any subsequent negotiations could determine whether the strike continues or a contract agreement is reached.

The takeaway

This strike highlights the ongoing tensions between healthcare workers and their employers over issues like staffing, workload, and compensation. The resolution of this dispute could have significant implications for patient care and the working conditions of thousands of healthcare professionals in the Inland Empire region and beyond.