Chanting phrases such as “Shame on Kaiser!” and “One day longer, one day stronger,” pharmacy and lab employees joined striking nurses and other healthcare workers on Monday at the Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, calling for fair wages and safer working conditions.
Stalled contract negotiations with Kaiser Permanente in December 2025 led the United Nurses Association of California/Union of Health Care Professionals, which represents nearly 27,000 healthcare professionals across Southern California and Hawaii, to file an unfair labor practice charge alleging that Kaiser walked away from the bargaining table. The strikes, which began on Jan. 26 at multiple locations across Los Angeles, are now entering their third week, with an estimated over 31,000 demonstrators taking to the streets.
“The beautiful thing about Los Angeles is everybody’s got a little thug in them,” said Peter Sidhu, the executive vice president of the UNAC/UHCP, as he addressed the crowd of approximately one hundred strikers in East Hollywood.
Next to a large inflatable rat and panel of leaders, healthcare workers stood with picket signs, donning yellow shirts that read: “One Voice, One Future.”
“If you want to know what’s happening, come take a walk inside. Talk to the people outside. These are the folks that you trust,” Sidhu said. “We’re the ones that showed up during COVID and did not turn to Zoom meetings. We are hands-on healthcare providers, so if you want to know the truth, come take a look for yourself.”
The United Food and Commercial Workers union joined the open-ended strike this morning, representing 2,424 pharmacy employees and 929 clinical laboratory scientists in Southern California, according to a statement Kaiser sent to Annenberg Media.
Mark Ramos, president of UFCW Local 1428, said the union negotiated in good faith for nearly ten months, but contended that Kaiser failed to do the same, accusing the company of stalling negotiations.
“What we’re saying is these issues can be settled,” Ramos said. “Ultimately, what this is about is patient care, and Kaiser is putting profits before their patients.”
Ramos and Sidhu alleged that the company is inflating its reports on wages and staffing. Sidhu added that Kaiser is failing to address the larger staffing issue.
“Kaiser is sitting on $67 billion in reserves. It can afford to give these workers a raise that allows them to be able to support themselves and their families and participate in the communities in which they live,” Ramos said.
Union members involved in the strike responded to the stalled bargaining process by expressing frustration over their circumstances.
In the statement shared with Annenberg Media, Kaiser called the strikes “unnecessary, disruptive for our members and patients, and counterproductive to reaching a contract agreement.”
“We’re not fighting for anything unreasonable. They have so much money and power at the top that could really affect the working class, and instead of investing in their workers, they’re investing in other places,” said Alexandra Villar, a pharmacy technician at Kaiser who joined the strike. “We’re just trying to get some of that, you know, back into the workforce.”
Nancy Gabaldon Bennett, a psychiatric pharmacist at the Kaiser mental health center, said that beyond improving wages, the ideal outcome of the strike would be to address the safety and care of patients. According to her, patients cannot receive the education they need to make informed choices around their medications.
“We want this to be resolved. We want to go back to work. We want to care for these patients,” Gabaldon Bennett said. “I really miss my job, I really enjoy what I do — we make an impact from what I get from patients and family members.”
Andy Friday, a laboratory worker at the Kaiser Los Angeles Medical Center, said he also hoped the strike would end so he could go back to treating patients.
“You’re wasting a lot of money, taxpayer dollars. Just give it to us and let us resume doing what we do best — taking care of our patients,” Friday said, addressing Kaiser. “What they’re doing isn’t fair. They need to wise up and stop being greedy.”
Kaiser also said UNAC/UHCP’s demands for wage increases would raise annual payroll by $3.1 billion, a $1 billion increase from its current proposal.
“UNAC/UHCP’s wage demands are unsustainable. They would make health care less affordable for Kaiser Permanente members and customers. And, they would have broad reaching implications for health care costs in every market we serve,” Kaiser wrote in its statement.
The statement also emphasized the company’s commitment to protecting employees from harassment and retaliation, prioritizing patient care and contacting local unions for prospective bargaining dates.
“We respect our nurses and employees and appreciate all they do every day to care for our members and patients. They deserve a fair contract that recognizes their value,” Kaiser wrote. “Today, Kaiser Permanente nurses are among the best-paid caregivers in the country, and in every market, we offer pay and benefits that meet or exceed those of other health care organizations.”
Although national negotiations are at a standstill, Kaiser’s website states hospitals, emergency departments and medical offices will remain open, despite the closure of some pharmacies and labs at various locations.
“The reason that people love coming to Kaiser is their healthcare provider. It’s not because of the CEO of this company, it’s because of the workers. They’re the ones who provide the care,” Ramos said. “These workers see patients when they take their first breath and their last breath and every need in between. It’s time to settle this thing, Kaiser. Get real, get serious, and let’s get this thing done.”