SEIU Local 49 prepares to strike Kaiser facilities

PORTLAND, OR -- At press time July 1, members of Service Employees Local 49 employed at Kaiser Permanente medical facilities from Longview to Salem were preparing to walk off the job July 7-8.

The union represents some 2,200 licensed practical nurses, cooks, housekeepers, medical records clerks, home health care aides and transport workers.

Their contract expired June 30.

The two sides were still talking as this issue of the Northwest Labor Press went to press. Sticking points revolved primarily around health care benefits.

"They've offered small wage increases for each of the four years, but they are insisting that our members cost-share $90 a month for health care coverage," said Shelley Herochik of the Service Employees International Union. She said Kaiser is also asking retirees to pick up a portion of their health care premium, "which is totally unacceptable."