Almost 2,400 Kaiser Permanente mental health workers went on strike Monday in Southern California to demand better pay and more time to treat their patients. The system of care is “broken,” said the National Union of Healthcare Workers, which is representing the striking employees.

Thousands of Kaiser Permanente mental health workers have gone on strike in Southern California, saying they're overworked and lack crucial benefits. Meanwhile, the company has said the union is dragging out negotiations and it has already taken major strides to improve labor conditions.

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.