Unionized mental health workers in Southern California began their strike on Monday to demand better pay, benefits and more staffing.

While workers are determined to win better conditions for patients and themselves, the NUHW has limited the strike to only a few select days and locations to disrupt workers’ unity.

More than 100 Kaiser mental health workers picketed outside the HMO’s medical center on Sunset Boulevard demanding higher wages, more prep time.

Los Angeles, United States - October 21, 2024 10/21/2024 10:30 am (GMT-0700) | FONTANA, Calif. — On October 21, 2024, mental healthcare doctors at Kaiser Fontana and other Kaiser Permanente locations throughout Southern California are on strike.

The labor dispute comes one year after Kaiser reached a $50 million settlement with state regulators who said the health care giant's mental health care system lacked adequate staffing that caused lapses in access to care for patients,

The union says there is a “broken” system of care at Kaiser, while management claims the union has been “slow walking” the negotiation process.

Robert Garrova discusses why Kaiser employees walked off the job and their goals.

Nearly 2,400 mental health workers at Kaiser Permanente facilities went on strike Monday amid contract talks and allegations of a “broken” system of care, while Kaiser officials say the union has been “slow walking” the negotiation process and planned to strike before labor talks even began.