Kaiser Permanente reaches deal with worker's union

Healthcare provider and hospital network Kaiser Permanente reached a tentative agreement on Saturday with a coalition of unions representing workers in California, Oregon and other states that will avert a strike of more than 30,000 workers scheduled to begin on Monday. The four-year agreement proposed will provide wage increases to workers and address issues about adequate staffing. The new agreement also abandons a proposal by Kaiser to pay new workers significantly less than current workers, which was the reason for the frustration that led to the planned strike. 

Hal Ruddick, executive director of the Alliance of Health Care Unions- the labor coalition representing Kaiser employees said, "This contract protects our patients, provides safe staffing and guarantees fair wages and benefits for every Alliance member.” Christian Meisner said in a statement that the negotiations were "challenging" but that the agreement “underscores our unwavering commitment to our employees by maintaining industry-leading wages and benefits.” The agreement would cover a range of employees including nurses, pharmacy workers, physician assistants and nurse practitioners and must still be ratified by union members.

Source: The New York Times