Tens of Thousands of Healthcare Workers Strike in Several U.S. States

Tens of thousands of healthcare and medical workers went on strike on Wednesday, October 4, in several states across the U.S. in protest against low wages and workforce shortages. According to the Associated Press, about 75,000 workers from 'Kaiser Permanente' say that the shortage of staff negatively impacts patient care. 'Kaiser Permanente,' with 39 hospitals across the U.S., is one of the largest providers of health insurance and medical care. This nonprofit organization, headquartered in Oakland, California, provides healthcare coverage for nearly 13 million people and sends its patients only to clinics and hospitals that it manages or has contracts with. The coalition of Kaiser Permanente unions, representing about 85,000 employees in the healthcare system across the U.S., has approved a three-day strike in California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington, and a one-day strike in Virginia and Washington D.C. The strikers include licensed professional nurses, home healthcare providers, ultrasound technicians, as well as radiology, X-ray, surgical, pharmacy, and emergency department technicians. Physicians are not participating in this strike, and Kaiser states that its hospitals, including their emergency centers, will remain open during the strikes. The company announced that it has hired thousands of temporary workers to fill in for the striking staff. However, this strike could delay non-essential healthcare services. The strike by Kaiser Permanente employees coincides with organizing strikes in several industrial sectors, including transportation and entertainment industries in the U.S. The strike of 13,000 auto workers in the U.S. is ongoing.