FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 
October 20, 2026

OAKLAND, Calif. – Healthcare workers at Kaiser Permanente are warning that patients across Northern California will wait even longer for X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds and mammograms when Kaiser eliminates 49 radiologic technologist positions December 12.

“It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Kaiser is laying off the people who catch breast cancer early,” said Elisa Molina, a radiologic technologist and mammographer who has worked at Kaiser for nine years. “Patients are already waiting too long for mammograms or driving miles to get one. Cutting 49 of us will mean more delayed diagnoses.”

The 49 healthcare workers, who received layoff notices October 12, include general radiologic technologists, mammographers, sonographers, CT technologists and MRI technologists. They travel to Kaiser hospitals and clinics across Northern California, filling in when radiology staff are out sick, on vacation or when positions sit vacant.

Kaiser executives have not announced plans to replace them. Employees say that will leave radiology departments short-staffed and patients waiting longer for X-rays, scans and mammograms.

Frontline healthcare workers are calling on Kaiser executives to reverse the layoffs and keep all 49 technologists on staff so patients can get timely imaging and cancer screenings. Caregivers are also urging Californians to support Proposition 40, a one-time 5% tax on about 200 billionaires to help keep hospitals open and care affordable as massive federal funding cuts take effect.

CONTACT: mediarelations@seiu-uhw.org

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SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) is a healthcare justice union of more than 120,000 healthcare workers, patients, and healthcare activists united to ensure affordable, accessible, high-quality care for all Californians provided by valued and respected healthcare workers. Learn more at www.seiu-uhw.org.