Tentative deal reached after Kaiser Permanente strike that involved about 3,000 Coloradans
Kaiser Permanente and union workers have reached a tentative deal a little more than a week after the nation's largest ever health care workers' strike. Those workers are part of the Service Employees' International Union.
More than 75,000 union workers, including about 3,000 here in Colorado, picketed for three days last week. It also took place in California, Washington, Oregon, Virginia and the nation's capital.
Workers at the Kaiser location in Englewood said the deal will directly impact staffing shortages where they've seen record numbers of people leaving the health field.
The deal includes wage increases of 21% over four years. In Colorado that means a minimum wage increase each year to bring it to $23 an hour by 2026.
It also has strong protections against outsourcing while also increasing medical benefits for employees after they retire.
But for the employees in Colorado, it's a relief.
"It's been a long six months and it's done. I'm happy," said Kaiser employee Paula Coleman. "Of course, we still have to vote on it, ratify it."
That ratification process will begin on Oct. 18.
Kaiser turned a $2.1 billion profit for the quarter.
