Kaiser mental health workers go on strike in Southern California over staffing, workloads

More than 2,400 Kaiser Permanente psychologists, therapists, social workers and other mental health workers in Southern California have begun an open-ended strike over increased workloads and staffing shortages. The workers' union say the increases have created a “substandard” system of care. The National Union of Healthcare Workers is negotiating a new contract with the Oakland-based health giant. It says the strikers demand Kaiser hire more people to ease the burden put on the current staff. Kaiser says Monday that the union has been “slow-walking” negotiations, despite the strong proposals the health care company has put on the table. Picket lines are up in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and San Diego counties.