Kaiser strike ends after nearly a month; nurses return to work

The Kaiser healthcare strike has ended after nearly a month, as tens of thousands of medical workers prepare to return to their jobs following a breakthrough in negotiations.

The large-scale walkout, which involved employees of Kaiser Permanente, had raised concerns about widespread healthcare disruptions. However, labor and management reached an agreement that clears the way for staff to resume duties.

The Union of American Physicians and Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP) said in a statement on February 23 that significant progress was made at the bargaining table over the past 48 hours. Therefore, the union decided to end the strike.

Union leaders said all picketing activities would stop immediately. In addition, members will return to work at 7 a.m. on February 24.

The Kaiser healthcare strike began on January 26. Approximately 31,000 union members participated. It was described as the largest open-ended strike of nurses and healthcare professionals in history.

Participants included registered nurses (RNs), pharmacists, anesthetists, midwives, rehabilitation therapists, speech therapists, and dietitians. The strike affected facilities across multiple regions.

Although the strike has ended, specific details of the tentative agreement have not been released. It remains unclear how close both sides are to a finalized contract or which key issues were resolved.

The monthlong labor dispute had heightened fears of a healthcare crisis. As medical staff return to their posts, hospitals and clinics are expected to work toward stabilizing operations.

For now, both sides have indicated that negotiations produced meaningful progress, paving the way for an end to one of the largest healthcare labor actions in recent years.

BY KYEONGJUN KIM  [kim.kyeongjun1@koreadaily.com]