Kaiser Listened as We Spoke Out About Our Working Conditions
We met with Kaiser on Friday to negotiate our pharmacy contract, during which we discussed creating more full-time positions and increasing opportunities for employees to secure these positions. We also spent time with the company discussing extending the probationary period to evaluate new hires and reviewing the transfer language to ensure employees are retained.
Lastly, we gave economic proposals to the company, including increases for employees who have translation responsibilities, longevity pay to honor workers for their dedication to Kaiser Permanente and hazard pay for all of us who work in highly dangerous environments.
We were able to speak on our economic proposals and told Kaiser how our working conditions in places like oncology are hazardous and make us worried to bring home toxins to our families. Our committee really spoke from the heart, moving all who were in the room. We felt heard and will continue to have conversations around these important issues in further sessions.
We also want to give you an update on National Bargaining. National Bargaining occurred June 3-5, and we reached Tentative Agreements with Kaiser on key retiree and pension benefits:
- Additional retiree medical benefits for our retirees 85 and older
- Increased retiree medical benefits
- Improved pension benefits.
These wins mark incredible progress already, and are the direct result of our members’ unity, action, and ongoing engagement. At national bargaining, we also introduced a full economic proposal with our key priorities, including historic wage increases, standardized healthcare across units, and job protections to prevent outsourcing and keep KP work union work.
We will return to the bargaining table with Kaiser locally on June 20, 2025, to discuss our pharmacy contract further. Meanwhile, follow UFCW Local 135 and Alliance of Healthcare Unions social media accounts! These platforms host the most up-to-date information on what’s going on at bargaining. Kaiser members can find bargaining updates and other content about the contract there, so make sure you and all of your co-workers keep up to date with the accounts to stay informed.
UFCW Local 135:
- Website: https://ufcw135.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UFCW135
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ufcw135
- Threads: https://www.threads.net/ufcw135
- X: https://x.com/ufcw135
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ufcw135
Alliance of Healthcare Unions:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AHCUnions/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahcunions
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ahcunions
- If you have any questions about bargaining or if there is anything else we can do to support you, please do not hesitate to contact your Union Representatives.
In Solidarity,
Your Bargaining Committee
