Kaiser-Permanente Staff Gives Strike Notice

The largest union representing Kaiser-Permanente workers in Oregon and southwestern Washington has filed a 10-day notice of its intent to go on strike against the health care system.

Local 49 of the Service Employees International Union represents about 2,000 licensed practical nurses, cooks, housekeepers, clerks and other workers in Kaiser facilities from Longview, Wash., to Salem.

The workers’ three-year contract expires at midnight Monday. The strike notice was issued on Thursday.

“Our members have had below cost-of-living increases the past three years,” said Shelley Herochik, the local’s field services coordinator. “Kaiser has proposed only minimal improvements over the next four years.”