More than 75,000 US healthcare workers begin strike
More than 75,000 employees at Kaiser Permanente began one of the largest healthcare worker strikes in recent US history on Wednesday after failing to resolve a dispute over staffing levels. The walkout at America's largest non-profit healthcare organisation comes during a year in which an inflation surge has spurred strike action to demand higher pay across the United States, from Hollywood to Detroit. The strike of union members at Kaiser Permanente began early on Wednesday at sites in Virginia and the US capital Washington. It is due to spread to the West Coast later in the day, where the vast majority of the company's workforce is based. Kaiser said it has put in place contingency plans to limit the impact of the strike, but warned customers to expect "longer than usual" waiting times, according to a statement posted on its website. The three-day walkout will be "the largest healthcare worker strike in US history," the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions, an umbrella group representing local unions, said last month. The union is pushing for pay increases across the board, and protections against subcontracting and outsourcing of labour, among other demands, according to recent statements from the coalition. It has threatened to engage in further strike action in November "if Kaiser continues to commit unfair labour practices." In a statement, Kaiser Permanente said it was "disappointed" by the strike, adding it plans to keep its medical centres running throughout the three-day walkout. "Our medical centres will remain open during the strike and will be staffed by our physicians and trained and experienced managers and staff," it added. (AFP)