Striking Kaiser workers in Oakland say that they're overworking themselves amid a dire staff shortage.
Hundreds of Kaiser Permanente workers picketed outside the Oakland Medical Center facility Wednesday, joining tens of thousands of other striking workers across California demanding a higher minimum wage, more staff members, and labor practices that will better protect employees and patients. Sonya Allen-Smith, a radiologic technologist who’s worked at Kaiser for over 15 years, told
that the current staffing shortages and high wait times are putting patients at risk. “We’re striking to make sure our patients are getting quality care,” she said. “Sometimes, you know, they have a two- to three-hour wait. I think it’s impacting our most vulnerable population, which is our incredibly ill and our seniors.” Tamika Harris, another radiologic technologist who’s worked at the Oakland location for 25 years, said the shortage is physically harming Kaiser’s workers.
. Though a contract settlement hasn’t been reached, the company said it reached tentative agreements on securing a $23 minimum wage for California employees, along with “across-the-board wage increases in all markets over the next four years.” For now, workers are poised to continue picketing. “If we can have more staff, then we can create a workflow that will keep people more safe,” Harris said.
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