As part of commitment to health equity and labor justice, we’re sharing this update with our DGR community to spotlight the ongoing mental health workers’ strike at Kaiser Permanente in Southern California. Nearly 2,400 therapists, psychologists, and social workers began an open-ended strike on October 21, demanding fair staffing, pay, and working conditions—essential steps toward providing patients with timely, effective mental health care.
Kaiser has been repeatedly fined for violating state mental health laws, yet continues to operate with far fewer therapists in Southern California than in the north, despite serving more patients. Workers are calling for the same improvements won by their Northern California colleagues, including adequate time for patient care duties and restored pensions. Their fight is about more than fair labor—it’s about ensuring that all patients, regardless of region, have access to quality mental health care.
Read more on this important action that affects many in our local Inland Empire community, including active DGR members.