Nearly 75 thousand healthcare workers in the USA left their jobs and went on strike due to low wages. This was reported by Policy.
The striking healthcare workers worked at Kaiser Permanente, one of the largest insurance companies and healthcare system operators. It serves approximately 13 million people.
In the summer of 2023, healthcare workers demanded that wages be increased to $25 per hour and wages be increased further in four years, but insurance company management ignored them.
Nurses, home health aides, technicians and emergency medical technicians are participating in the strike, which started on October 4. Protests are taking place in California, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and Virginia. Doctors continue to work.
Union members say staff shortages increase company profits but also negatively impact patients. According to them, Kaiser Permanente management negotiated the employees’ demands in bad faith.
The California Legislature sent legislation to Gov. Gavin Newsom that would raise the minimum wage for the state’s 455,000 healthcare workers to $25 per hour over the next decade. Newsom will decide whether to sign the bill into law by October 14.
Formerly Automotive Workers Union in the United States was threatened extend the strike.
Source: Gazeta
Barbara Dickson is a seasoned writer for “Social Bites”. She keeps readers informed on the latest news and trends, providing in-depth coverage and analysis on a variety of topics.