For Immediate Release

February 15, 2021

Contact:

Renée Saldaña

Oakland, Calif. – Healthcare workers at Kaiser Permanente across California will protest Kaiser’s plan to pay profit-seeking companies to bring in outside nurses unfamiliar with the hospital, a move that would undercut experienced nurses and support staff who have been caring for patients in their community throughout the pandemic.

“In our daily duties, many workers have been infected by COVID-19, and some have even died. Despite the risks, we continue to show up ready to keep our patients safe. Instead of bringing in nurses from other locations, they should be incentivizing and providing additional hours to those that are already in our communities,” said Alicia Villacana, an LVN at Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center. “That’s why we’re asking for Kaiser to invest in the high-quality, personal care that our patients deserve.”

Workers at Kaiser Permanente statewide are also concerned about safety during the pandemic and are planning pickets at various locations statewide throughout the month. They are calling on Kaiser to work with them to ensure there are adequate safety protocols everywhere and prevent further COVID-19 outbreaks like the recent cases in Kaiser Permanente San Jose.

WHAT: Picket by healthcare workers outside Kaiser Permanente San Francisco over inadequate staffing and to ensure appropriate safety protocols.

WHEN: Tuesday, February 16, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

WHERE:  Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Medical Center, 2425 Geary Blvd

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SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) is one of the largest unions of hospital workers in the United States, with more than 97,000 members.