On November 18, we were all part of the largest sympathy strike in the United States in over a century. 40,000 Kaiser union members from SEIU-UHW, OPEIU Local 29, IFPTE Local 20 were the largest group of working people since 1894 to say we care enough about another group of workers to leave our job, give up pay and take a stand with the Local 39 Operating Engineers.
This is quite remarkable but not at all surprising. As healthcare workers, we have dedicated our lives to caring for others. We have risked our lives and health these past two years to care for patients during the pandemic. After seeing our co-workers, Kaiser engineers out on strike for 62 days, we said enough is enough. We joined them on the line with courage and honor in a moment that will define us for decades to come.
News Coverage
Sacramento Bee
Kaiser strike in Northern California: Engineers uplifted as thousands picket in solidarity
November 18, 2021
Features quote from UHW members Lanette Griffin, Rod Thomson, Adwin Chand (video)
Mercury News
Kaiser strike shutters some services Thursday. Friday could be worse
KQED
Thousands of Kaiser Permanente Staff Join Picket Line in Solidarity With Striking Engineers
San Francisco Chronicle
Kaiser union employees to hold sympathy strikes Thursday, Friday in solidarity with Local 39
Fox 40 Sacramento
Kaiser union employees engage in sympathy strike in support of local engineers
November 18, 2021
Includes quote from UHW member Kim Samuels of Kaiser So. Sacramento, footage of So. Sacramento sympathy strike
View the historic moment on Social Media
OPEIU Local 29 joined @SEIU_UHW and @IFTPE Local 20 yesterday for the nation's largest sympathy strike, in solidarity with 600 IUOE Local 39 members who are fighting for a fair contract. #1u #Solidarity https://www.kcra.com/article/unions-hold-sympathy-strike-for-kaiser-workers-in-northern-california/38291618#
@TmcuseoCuseo It's a sympathy strike for Kaiser Engineers & Biomeds, IUOE Local 39, who've been on strike and picketing 24/7 for the past 9 weeks due to no contract. The SEIU-UHW and CNA Unions will both walk out for 24 hours tomorrow and Friday, respectively. http://gofundme.com/f/kaiserstrikelocal39
40,000+ union members in SEIU-UHW, OPEIU 29, and IFPTE 20 (and thousands more nurses tomorrow) are on sympathy strike at Kaiser in solidarity w/ 700 IUOE Stationary Engineers, who have been on strike for months for a fair contract.
Solidarity forever! #1u
https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/kaiser-nurses-to-hold-sympathy-strike-in-solidarity-with-engineers/
Thousands of Kaiser health care workers represented by health care union SEIU-UHW went on a 24-hour “sympathy strike” Thursday to show support for Kaiser's operating engineers, who have been on strike for two months as they push for better wages.
https://ww2.kqed.org/news/2021/11/18/thousands-of-kaiser-permanente-staff-join-picket-line-in-solidarity-with-striking-engineers/
Local members of the SEIU-UHW and OPEIU unions joined in a sympathy strike with members of Stationary Engineers Local 39. https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/news/kaiser-employees-join-picket-line-in-santa-rosa-in-solidarity-with-striking/?taid=61974efaf8fc350001fa6fb3&utm_campaign=trueAnthem%3A+Trending+Content&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter
Thank you @CMKValenzuela for standing with us and all workers today on the strike line! #solidarity #strikesgiving #bekp #wearekaiserworkers @seiu_uhw https://twitter.com/CMKValenzuela/status/1461407068049469442
With a reported $6.4 billion in 2020 total profits and $44.5 billion in cash & investments, @aboutKP has no excuse for refusing IUOE #Local39 a fair contract. I’m proud to be on the line with @seiu_uhw workers in support of Local 39. #KeepThriveAlive #KPStrikeSupporter
“Together were asking Kaiser to focus on improving patient care by supporting & investing more in the operating engineers who play a critical role in maintaining our facilities and equipment” An injury to one is an injury to all @seiu_uhw #BeKP #Strikesgiving #WeAreKaiserWorkers
.@seiu_uhw, OPEIU Local 29, IFPTE Local 20, and Local 39 held a moment of silence in honor of the more than 500 California healthcare workers who've lost their lives to COVID-19. SEIU-UHW lost 58 members, 23 of them our co-workers here at @aboutKP
#ForeverEssential
I’m sympathy striking to support our Local 39 Engineers 💪🏽 they maintain our facilities & equipment we use every day to care for patients. @aboutKP needs to stop putting profits over patients. #WeAreKaiserWorkers #BeKP #Strikesgiving
I am encouraging @aboutKP to negotiate in good faith with IUOE Stationary Engineers Local 39. Proud to join @seiu_uhw in supporting their action at Kaiser Redwood City today.
These heroes have been on strike for 2 months now. We must support those who supported us during COVID.
Great update by @leahptw on how the Local 39 strike against Kaiser is going. More to come...
'We need our engineers:' Hundreds gather for sympathy strike in solidarity with Kaiser engineers https://www.rwcpulse.com/redwood-city-news/we-need-our-engineers-hundreds-gather-for-sympathy-strike-in-solidarity-with-local-39-unions-kaiser-engineers-4773987 via @rwcpulse
Today I joined the sympathy strike with Kaiser workers bright and early. As a Kaiser member and healthcare provider, I support patient safety and fair worker contracts. Solidarity with Kaiser engineers. @seiu_uhw
4
Hella proud to be standing in solidarity w/ our healthcare workers from @seiu_uhw at Kaiser Permanente South Sac to support our union siblings from Operating Engineers #Local39! Nothing can stop the power of the people. #UnionStrong #HeartAndHustle
4
Proud to join El Cerrito Councilmember @TessaRudnick and Richmond Councilmember Melvin Willis in support and solidarity with our Kaiser Richmond workers for a fair contract.
Kaiser originated in Richmond, CA.
#local39 @seiu_uhw @SEIU https://twitter.com/TessaRudnick/status/1461475009415704578
Standing in solidarity with Kaiser workers for a fair contract ✊🏻💜 #elcerritoca #richmondca #wearekaiserworkers #local39 #seiuuhw @seiu_uhw #Strikesgiving
Once a labor partner, Kaiser is now acting like an economic bully. Kaiser Vacaville stands in solidarity with Local 39 engineers to protest Kaiser’s unfair labor practices and help the engineers win a fair contract. #WeAreKaiserWorkers #BeKP #Strikesgiving @aboutKP
2Union members from SEIU-UHW, OPEIU Local 29, and IFPTE Local 20 in @aboutKP - Antioch stand united with #Local39 Engineers in the largest sympathy strike in the country.
#BeKP #Strikesgiving #WeAreKaiserWorkers
This morn. I was at Kaiser in Oakland standing w/@seiu_uhw, @CalNurses & @NUHW—who are striking in solidarity w/IUOE Local 39.
With record profits, there’s no excuse for @kpthrive’s squeezing workers & members—patient care suffers when workers aren’t treated fairly. #UnionStrong
Today I stood alongside striking healthcare workers, including our siblings in Stationary Engineers Local 39 & @seiu_uhw as we demand Kaiser come back to the bargaining table and sign a fair contract.
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Please stand with organized labor as we fight in solidarity for our fellow members in Local 39.
RETWEET IN #Solidarity
WHEN WE FIGHT! WE WIN! WHEN WE FIGHT! We….👂
@seiu_uhw @TheLastPizzaPa1@NurseBeBrave @unacuhcp #BeKP #Strikesgiving #WeAreKaiserWorkers
.@aboutKP can afford to do better for its workers and patients. They claim their frontline workers are “overpaid”. It’s demeaning! That is why we’re out here in Manteca in support of #Local39 Engineers.
#WeAreKaiserWorkers #BeKP #Strikesgiving
.@_yayitsnay is out here with her coworkers asking @aboutKP to focus on improving patient care by supporting and investing more in the operating engineers who play a critical role in maintaining our facilities and equipment.
#BeKP #Strikesgiving #WeAreKaiserWorkers
#HealthcareJustice #Strikesgiving #WeAreKaiserWorkers #seiuuhw #BeKP
WE WILL NOT GIVE UP, WE WILL NOT GIVE IN 💜🗣
With a reported $6.4 billion in 2020 total profits and $44.5 billion in cash & investments, @aboutKP has no excuse for refusing IUOE #Local39 a fair contract. I’m proud to be on the line with @seiu_uhw workers in #Fresno today. #BeKP
Union proud! Kaiser—Do the right thing! @seiuuhw #WeAreKaiserWorkers #Strikesgiving #BeKP
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Healthcare workers on sympathy strike with Local 39 engineers at Kaiser in Santa Rosa #strikesgiving #bekp #local39 @aboutKP @seiu_uhw @NorthBayJwJ https://twitter.com/kentphotos/status/1461359918259130385
Max Bell Alper, executive director of North Bay Jobs with Justice fires up a crowd of #Kaiser workers during a sympathy strike for Engineers local 39 in Santa Rosa, Thursday. @NorthBayNews
#Local39 Engineers play a critical role in making sure a facility has the amenities and machinery for us to provide quality care to our patients. @aboutKP needs to deliver a fair contract to the engineers and stop putting profits over people.
#HistoricSympathyStrike #BeKP
We stand united with Local 39 Engineers in the largest sympathy strike in the country. Kaiser Stockton SEIU-UHW members say, “their fight is our fight!”
@kpnorcal @aboutKP
#WeAreKaiserWorkers #BeKP #Strikesgiving
We are standing in solidarity with our brothers, sisters & kin from Local 39 in a 24-hour sympathy strike, and we're not tired yet! We need to let @aboutKP know that the patient care crisis requires more investment in good jobs, not less. #WeAreKaiserWorkers #BeKP #Strikesgiving
Lots of energy outside Kaiser Vallejo as operating engineers who have been on strike for weeks are joined by SEIU-UHW for sympathy strike that will last through tomorrow.
I stand with Local 39 Kaiser engineers- they make safe and effective patient care possible and they deserve a fair contract. @seiu_uhw #beKP #strikesgiving #WeAreKaiserWorkers
An injury to one is an injury to all. We stand in solidarity – 40,000-strong across SEIU-UHW, @OPEIU Local 29 & @IFPTE Local 20 – with the Local 39 Engineers to protest Kaiser’s unfair labor practices and help the engineers win a fair contract. #WeAreKaiserWorkers #Strikesgiving
More than 30,000 Kaiser workers staged a one day strike today in solidarity with Kaiser engineers who have been on strike for two months.
The sympathy strikers walked out of 21 facilities across Northern California to demand Kaiser agree to a fair contract with Local 39.
Local 39 Engineers have also been working through a pandemic! @aboutKP needs to deliver a fair contract to Local 39 Engineers instead of trying to squeeze more work out of them for less. That's why we're out here at Kaiser Redwood City. #WeAreKaiserWorkers #BeKP #Strikesgiving
2We're out in a historic sympathy strike in support of #Local39 Engineers at Kaiser Walnut Creek! Kaiser, a “nonprofit” reported $6.4B in profits, top executives get million-dollar salaries… yet they say that healthcare workers are the ones who are “overpaid”. #Strikesgiving
3
Proud to join @seiu_uhw workers this morning in front of Kaiser in the largest sympathy strike in the country, in support of #Local39 engineers @sflabor
4Thanks to SF Supervisor @HillaryRonen for supporting the #Local39 engineers with us today! We call on @aboutKP to focus on improving patient care by investing more in the operating engineers who play a critical role in maintaining our facilities and equipment. #WeAreKaiserWorkers
With billions in cash & investments, Kaiser has no excuse for refusing IUOE #Local39 a fair contract. My office and I are proud to support @seiu_uhw workers sympathy striking in support of Local 39, who has been forced to be on strike for more 7 weeks! #Strikesgiving
We support our Engineers! #Strikesgiving #WeAreKaiserWorkers #KPFamily
4
I’m sympathy striking to support our Local 39 Engineers 💪🏽 they maintain our facilities & equipment we use every day to care for patients. @aboutKP needs to stop putting profits over patients. #WeAreKaiserWorkers #BeKP #Strikesgiving
Thanks to Oakland City Council President @nikki4oakland for joining this historic sympathy strike at Kaiser Oakland! Together we stand united with our Local 39 Engineers so they can get a fair contract from @aboutKP. Enough is enough.
#WeAreKaiserWorkers #BeKP #Strikesgiving
Solidarity @ today's sympathy strike w IUOE #Local39 at #Kaiser, @seiu_uhw + IFPTE Local 20. #Local39 engineers on strike for 62 days, deserve a fair contract. Full video on IG/FB. Our healthcare workers are essential & deserve respect and safety on the job #BeKP #Strikesgiving
It’s sad to see Kaiser Permanente acting like a bully to labor instead of a partner, but we glad to be with @seiu_uhw workers today in support of a fair contract for IUOE #Local39. #BeKP #Strikesgiving
2Thanks to Assemblymember @alex_lee for joining the picket line for #Local39 engineers with us today! We stand in solidarity with our union co-workers to protest @aboutKP's unfair labor practices and help them win a fair contract.
#WeAreKaiserWorkers #BeKP #Strikesgiving
Joined the picket line with workers who’ve been out here at the Fremont Kaiser site striking’s for 62 DAYS!
Our frontline healthcare heroes deserve to be treated with respect. Fair compensation for all their sacrifices during the pandemic @seiu_uhw
Thanks to Sacramento City Councilmember @CMKValenzuela for joining us on the line in support of #Local39 engineers! Together we call on @aboutKP to deliver a fair contract to the engineers and stop putting profits over people.
#WeAreKaiserWorkers #BeKP #Strikesgiving
With a reported $6.4 billion in 2020 total profits and $44.5 billion in cash & investments, @aboutKP has no excuse for refusing IUOE #Local39 a fair contract. I’m proud to be on the line with @seiu_uhw workers in support of Local 39. #KeepThriveAlive #KPStrikeSupporter
Hundreds of healthcare workers sympathy strike at Kaiser San Francisco with #Local39 on day 62 @seiu_uhw @aboutKP #bekp #strikesgiving
4
I’m sympathy striking to support our Local 39 Engineers 💪🏽 they maintain our facilities & equipment we use every day to care for patients. @aboutKP needs to stop putting profits over patients. #WeAreKaiserWorkers #BeKP #Strikesgiving
#UnionSolidarity with #Local39 Engineers!
It’s about better patient care, dignity at work, and a fair contract to get back to work!
No contract, no peace!
@seiu_uhw @CalNurses @OPEIU Local 29
#UnionStrong #1u
#Local39 Engineers play a critical role in making sure a facility has the amenities & machinery for us to provide quality care to our patients. @aboutKP needs to deliver a fair contract to the engineers & stop putting profits over people
#BeKP #Strikesgiving #WeAreKaiserWorker
This morn. I was at Kaiser in Oakland standing w/@seiu_uhw, @CalNurses & @NUHW—who are striking in solidarity w/IUOE Local 39.
With record profits, there’s no excuse for @kpthrive’s squeezing workers & members—patient care suffers when workers aren’t treated fairly. #UnionStrong
Once a labor partner, @aboutKP is now acting like an economic bully. We stand in solidarity with the #Local39 engineers to protest Kaiser’s unfair labor practices and help the engineers win a fair contract.
#BeKP #Strikesgiving #WeAreKaiserWorkers
Today I stood alongside striking healthcare workers, including our siblings in Stationary Engineers Local 39 & @seiu_uhw as we demand Kaiser come back to the bargaining table and sign a fair contract.
We are out here in front of Kaiser-San Leandro standing united with #Local39 Engineers so they can get a fair contract from @aboutKP. Enough is Enough.
#BeKP #Strikesgiving #WeAreKaiserWorkers
We're standing in solidarity with our brothers, sisters and kin from #Local39 in a 24-hour sympathy strike. Stop putting profits over our patients and union co-workers.The patient care crisis requires @aboutKP to invest more in good jobs, not less.
#BeKP #Strikesgiving
We’re out here asking @aboutKP to focus on improving patient care by supporting and investing more in the operating engineers who play a critical role in maintaining our facilities and equipment.
#BeKP #Strikesgiving #WeAreKaiserWorkers
Kaiser patients need care not greed #strikesgiving #bekp #wearekaiserworkers @seiu_uhw
An injury to one is an injury to all. We stand in solidarity – 40,000-strong across SEIU-UHW, OPEIU Local 29, and @IFPTE Local 20 – with the Local 39 Engineers to protest @aboutKP unfair labor practices and help the engineers win a fair contract.
#BeKP #Strikesgiving
WE OUT HERE! @seiu_uhw members are on the picket line with Stationary Engineers Local 39!
Essential workers deserve a contract that lets them return to work with dignity and respect!
#UnionStrong #1u
good morning, solidarity morning! line is strong here at San Leandro Medical Center where the nurses, receptionists, lab techs, and other health workers of SEIU-UHW and IFPTE Local 20 are out supporting IUOE 39. @kpnorcal, give the engineers a fair contract! #strikesgiving
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I’m sympathy striking to support our Local 39 Engineers 💪🏽 they maintain our facilities & equipment we use every day to care for patients. @aboutKP needs to stop putting profits over patients. #WeAreKaiserWorkers #BeKP #Strikesgiving
Let’s do this! Healthcare workers walked out today in support of Local 39 Engineers to protest @aboutKP's unfair labor practices in a historic sympathy strike.
#BeKP #Strikesgiving #WeAreKaiserWorkers
More than 40,000 workers with SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West, OPEIU Local 29, and IFPTE Local 20 are expected to walk out to show support -- This would make it the largest sympathy strike in the U.S.
https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/news/local-news/kaiser-nurses-to-hold-sympathy-strike-in-solidarity-with-engineers/
.@aboutKP can afford to do better for its workers and patients. They claim their frontline workers are “overpaid”. It’s demeaning! That is why we’re out here supporting the Local 39 Engineers.
#BeKP #Strikesgiving #WeAreKaiserWorkers
Healthcare workers come out to support Stationary Engineers Local 39 strike at Kaiser Permanente in Santa Rosa @NorthBayNews
We stand united with #Local39 Engineers in the largest sympathy strike in the country. Their fight is our fight!
#BeKP #Strikesgiving #WeAreKaiserWorkers @aboutKP
HAPPENING NOW: #Kaiser Permanente employees are on sympathy strike.
This is in support of Local 39 Operating Engineers, who have been on strike themselves for nearly two months.
#Local39 Engineers have also been working through a pandemic! @aboutKP needs to deliver a fair contract to Local 39 Engineers instead of trying to squeeze more work out of them for less.
#WeAreKaiserWorkers #BeKP #Strikesgiving
HAPPENING NOW: More than 40,000 @kpnorcal workers are on the picket lines across California, including Fresno. SEUI United Healthcare Workers says they aren't happy with how bargaining is going. They would like to see KP reach a new contract with engineers.
Local 39 Engineers play a critical role in making sure a facility has the amenities & machinery for us to provide quality care to our patients. @aboutKP needs to deliver a fair contract to the engineers & stop putting profits over people
#WeAreKaiserWorkers #BeKP #Strikesgiving
@kron4news we out here where you at?! #bekp #Strikesgiving #WeAreKaiserWorkers
Let’s do this! Healthcare workers from @aboutKP Richmond have walked out in support of Local 39 Engineers to protest Kaiser’s unfair labor practices in a historic sympathy strike.
#WeAreKaiserWorkers #BeKP #Strikesgiving
Today, @seiu_uhw, @IFPTE local 20 & @OPEIU local 29 Kaiser workers are standing with their brothers & sisters at IUOE #Local39 who are striking to get @kpnorcal to bargain a fair contract. I wish I could be out with you on the line. #KPStrikeSupporter
I stand in solidarity with #Local39 engineers at Kaiser and the sympathy strike of the other unions joining in solidarity! ✊🏽 https://twitter.com/CaliforniaLabor/status/1461145940790702083
ALL IN FOR SOLIDARITY!!
Engineers at Kaiser in Nor. Cal. are still striking against corporate greed.
Tomorrow the labor movement is joining sympathy strikes to stand with #Local39 workers.
An injury to one is an injury to all!
#UnionStrong #1u
https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/11/17/thousands-of-kaiser-workers-planning-to-picket-in-sympathy-with-striking-engineers/
Nothing like a #strike to start the day🌞
Out with @seiu_uhw members in Santa Rosa striking in #solidarity with Local 39 Engineers and their families. @aboutKP can afford to do better #BeKP #Strikesgiving
Local 39 Engineers play a critical role in making sure a facility has the amenities & machinery for us to provide quality care to our patients. @aboutKP needs to deliver a fair contract to the engineers & stop putting profits over people
#BeKP #Strikesgiving #WeAreKaiserWorkers
Happening now
As many as 40000 Kaiser employees including nurses are on strike today and tomorrow even though they currently don’t have any direct problems with their bosses
Here’s why they’re and strike and what you need to know if you’re a patient @kron4news
Welp! No #mamogram for me today. No way I cross a picket line. Since I blocked off the afternoon for my appointment, I’ll pick up a picket sign and join you all instead.
.@aboutKP can afford to do better for its workers & us patients.
#WeAreKaiserWorkers #BeKP #Strikesgiving https://twitter.com/seiu_uhw/status/1461133063530770433
Tens of thousands of @seiu_uhw members will be joined by OPEIU Local 29, IFPTE Local 20 in a historic sympathy strike to demand that @aboutkp stop its economic bullying and agree to a fair contract with the #Local39 engineers.
#BeKP #Strikesgiving
https://www.seiu-uhw.org/press/thousands-of-kaiser-employees-to-sympathy-strike-in-support-of-local-39-engineers/
[BREAKING] @aboutKP broke off negotiations with the #Local39 Engineers tonight without an agreement. Let's show @kpthrive that when you take on one of us, you take on all of us! See you on the picket line at 7:00AM.
#BeKP #Strikesgiving #WeAreKaiserWorkers #UnionSolidarity
Tens of thousands of @seiu_uhw members will be joined by OPEIU Local 29, IFPTE Local 20 in a historic sympathy strike to demand that @aboutkp stop its economic bullying and agree to a fair contract with the #Local39 engineers.
#BeKP #Strikesgiving
https://www.seiu-uhw.org/press/thousands-of-kaiser-employees-to-sympathy-strike-in-support-of-local-39-engineers/
See you tomorrow at 7:00 AM, #Local39 engineers! 40,000-strong across @seiu_uhw, OPEIU Local 29, and IFPTE Local 20 will be joining ya'll in the largest sympathy strike in the country.
#BeKP #Strikesgiving #WeAreKaiserWorkers #unionsolidarity
Thousands of Kaiser workers planning to sympathy strike Thursday and Friday in solidarity with striking engineers https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/11/17/thousands-of-kaiser-workers-planning-to-picket-in-sympathy-with-striking-engineers/ via @mercnews
An Open Letter from SEIU-UHW Executive Board Leaders to Our Co-workers and Patients
