Workers at Kaiser Permanente in Colorado weighing a strike



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Contract negotiations between Kaiser Permanente and unions representing 85,000 of its workers, including 3,500 in Colorado, derailed Thursday, increasing the chances of a walkout this fall.

The members of the Kaiser Permanente Trade Union Coalition will hold votes from the end of July on the authorization of a strike of unfair labor practices.

Coalition members in Colorado are meeting on Saturday to discuss next steps, which could include a strike vote in early September, said David Fernandez, spokesperson for Local 105 of Service Employees International Union.

"If there was to be a strike in Colorado, it would happen on October 1," Fernandez said. This is the day after the expiry of the Local's current contract.

About 235 local members and supporters staged Thursday at three Kaiser stations on the Denver metro to increase pressure on the non-profit health care provider.

The unions say the management has undermined one of the country's most successful work-management partnerships by offering wage increases below the rate of inflation. dilution of benefits for new employees; weaken protections for job security; and outsource positions to suppliers who pay much less.

For example, Kaiser Permanente Colorado offers salary increases of 1 to 2% per year. The coalition wants 3 to 4 percent a year, arguing that it is necessary to cope with the rapid rise in the cost of living in states like Colorado and California.

The coalition claims that Kaiser Permanente is not making headway with its workers despite profits of $ 9 billion since January 2017 and a reserve of $ 31.5 billion.

Kaiser Permanente, in a statement, said it would respect its commitment to bargain in good faith and maintain its commitment to "fair and equitable agreements providing our employees with excellent and competitive market benefits and wages. ".

"We are disappointed that some union leaders have chosen to make false allegations and take an adversarial and destructive approach as part of their bargaining strategy," said the health care provider.

When the positions are outsourced, The affected employees are transferred elsewhere or are offered up to one year's salary and benefits if this can not be arranged, the statement said. Reserves are necessary to protect against unforeseen events, to cover investments in facilities and to guarantee future pension obligations.

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