More than 31,000 Kaiser Permanente health care workers strike across California and Hawaii

More than 31,000 Kaiser Permanente health care workers across California and Hawaii began an open-ended strike on Monday, January 26, 2026, escalating a labor dispute that unions say centers on staffing levels, compensation, and alleged unfair labor practices. The walkout includes a wide range of clinicians and allied health professionals represented by UNAC/UHCP, and it continued into Tuesday as negotiations remained unresolved. ([sfchronicle.com](https://www.sfchronicle.com/health/article/kaiser-workers-strike-21312742.php?utm_source=openai))

Union leaders argue that staffing shortages and recruitment and retention challenges are harming timely access to care and increasing pressure on frontline staff. They also say that the bargaining process has stalled, describing months of talks without a final agreement and alleging that Kaiser has not adequately addressed workplace concerns. ([abc7.com](https://abc7.com/post/31000-kaiser-permanente-health-care-workers-california-hawaii-go-strike/18478125/?utm_source=openai))

Kaiser Permanente disputes the unions’ characterization and has said it made a strong compensation offer while emphasizing that a strike disrupts patients. In a January 25, 2026 statement, Kaiser said it had been bargaining for months and framed the walkout as unnecessary given what it described as a generous proposal. ([about.kaiserpermanente.org](https://about.kaiserpermanente.org/who-we-are/labor-relations/alliance-national-bargaining/media-statements/our-statement-on-unac-uhcp-strike?utm_source=openai))

The strike has drawn attention because Kaiser is one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit integrated health systems, and coordinated labor actions can strain scheduling, staffing, and patient flow even when facilities remain open. Local reporting in California described picket lines at multiple Kaiser locations, reflecting how the dispute is playing out across regions rather than being confined to a single hospital. ([sfchronicle.com](https://www.sfchronicle.com/health/article/kaiser-workers-strike-21312742.php?utm_source=openai))

What workers are seeking

• Improved staffing and working conditions tied to patient care and safety concerns. ([abc7.com](https://abc7.com/post/31000-kaiser-permanente-health-care-workers-california-hawaii-go-strike/18478125/?utm_source=openai))
• Higher wages than Kaiser’s reported offer, and protections around benefits and bargaining practices. ([sfchronicle.com](https://www.sfchronicle.com/health/article/kaiser-workers-strike-21312742.php?utm_source=openai))
• A return to productive negotiations that results in a finalized contract. ([abc7.com](https://abc7.com/post/31000-kaiser-permanente-health-care-workers-california-hawaii-go-strike/18478125/?utm_source=openai))

What Kaiser says

Kaiser’s public messaging has emphasized affordability and operational stability while asserting that its offer is competitive and that disruptions can harm patients. The organization has also indicated it expects to continue operating during the strike, though capacity and wait times can still be affected during large-scale walkouts. ([about.kaiserpermanente.org](https://about.kaiserpermanente.org/who-we-are/labor-relations/alliance-national-bargaining/media-statements/our-statement-on-unac-uhcp-strike?utm_source=openai))