BALTIMORE — A potential work stoppage is looming at healthcare giant Kaiser Permanente.
OPEIU 2, a local union representing thousands of Kaiser workers throughout Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia recently voted 98 percent to go on strike if a new agreement can't be reached by September 30.
The workers allege unfair labor practices, including under-staffing which they claim is causing a decline in patient care.
As result the union says patients are experiencing longer wait times for appointments and other service delays like X-rays.
In a statement Kaiser says they've filled 9,000 positions so far this year, and are working to reach the 10,000 mark.
The union also accuses Kaiser of failing to keep up with cost of living increases, despite making more than $24 billion in profit over the past half-decade.
Kaiser denied those claims saying they offered the coalition an 11 percent wage increase over four years. The company also proposed a starting minimum wage of $21/hour, which is reportedly $5 less than what the union requested.
"We are leaders in employee wages and benefits in every market we are in. In fact, our philosophy is to deliver compensation that provides wages above the local market (at or up to 10% above market) to attract and retain the best employees," added Kaiser. "Our very generous health care and retirement benefits add another 50% of value to the overall compensation package."
Other Kaiser unions on the west coast recently threatened to go on strike as well.
Over here in the Mid-Atlantic region only 385 Kaiser employees would be affected by a September strike, because the rest are reportedly under labor contracts through December 15.
Regardless, Kaiser says they're prepared for any operational impact a strike would have.
"We take any threat to disrupt care for our members seriously and have comprehensive plans to ensure continued access to needed health care services, should a strike occur later this year," said Kaiser.
Workers represented by these unions include optometrists, pharmacists, Licensed Practice Nurses (LPNs), call center workers, certified nursing assistants (CNAs), surgical techs, imaging techs, respiratory therapists, emergency department technicians, physical therapy assistants, and phlebotomists.
In the end Kaiser says they're confident a deal will get done.
"We have two more bargaining sessions scheduled for this week. We are confident we’ll reach an agreement before the national agreement expires on September 30 that strengthens our position as a best place to work and ensures that the high-quality care our members expect from us remains affordable and easy to access."
