Tens of thousands of healthcare workers are going on strike

Approximately 75,000 employees of a healthcare provider in the United States are staging a three-day strike. The strike is taking place at Kaiser Permanente, a non-profit organization that serves as a lifeline for 13 million Americans.

These workers are striking for higher wages and increased protection against labor outsourcing, with concerns raised about the impact of rising inflation. According to the union representing them, this is the largest strike ever seen in the U.S. healthcare sector.

The strike has been declared in California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington. While Kaiser expects care centers to remain operational, they caution that longer waiting times may be experienced. Doctors are expected to continue working, and Kaiser plans to mitigate the impact by deploying a significant number of on-call workers.

In the United States this year, there have been significant strikes in various sectors, driven by concerns over high inflation and stagnant wage growth. Additionally, there are concerns about the increased use of automation.

In the automotive sector, around 25,000 employees at manufacturers like GM, Ford, and Stellantis are currently on strike. The entertainment industry has also experienced a strike by actors and writers, although the latter group has now returned to work.