Kaiser Permanente Nurses Strike Enters Third Week

Union alleges unfair labor practices as contract talks continue

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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The roughly 31,000 members of the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals have been on strike against Kaiser Permanente for nearly three weeks, vowing to stay on the picket lines until a fair contract agreement is reached. The union has filed an unfair labor practice charge against Kaiser, alleging the company walked away from the bargaining table in December and has attempted to bypass the agreed-upon national bargaining process.

Why it matters

This strike highlights the ongoing tensions between healthcare workers and hospital systems over issues like staffing, workload, and compensation. As one of the largest non-profit healthcare providers in the country, Kaiser's handling of these contract negotiations could set a precedent for how other hospital systems approach labor disputes.

The details

The striking workers include registered nurses, pharmacists, nurse anesthetists, nurse practitioners, midwives, physician assistants, rehab therapists, speech language pathologists, dietitians and other specialty health care professionals. Kaiser has offered a 21.5% wage increase, which the union has rejected, arguing the company needs to address staffing levels, workload standards, and respect for workers.

  • The strike began in early February 2026 and is now entering its third week.
  • Picketing resumes at 9 a.m. Monday at the San Diego Medical Center.

The players

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

A union representing around 31,000 healthcare workers at Kaiser Permanente facilities.

Charmaine S. Morales

The president of UNAC/UHCP.

Kaiser Permanente

A large non-profit healthcare provider that operates hospitals and clinics across multiple states.

Camille Applin-Jones

The 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 judge overseeing the unfair labor practice charge filed by the union against Kaiser Permanente is expected to rule on the case in the coming weeks, which could impact the trajectory of the ongoing strike.

The takeaway

This strike highlights the deep divisions between healthcare workers and hospital management over issues like staffing, workload, and compensation. As the pandemic has put increased strain on the healthcare system, these tensions are likely to continue unless both sides can find a way to compromise and reach a fair agreement.