Pharmacy workers, others ratify four-year contract with Kaiser

The unions representing over 4,000 Kaiser Permanente pharmacy workers, lab technicians and other workers across Southern and Central California announced the ratification of a new four-year contract Saturday, ending a dispute that included a three-day strike earlier this year.

The agreement was announced by the United Food and Commercial Workers Southern California local unions. Officials said 11 UFCW locals bargained the contracts, which are valid through March 2030. They said the deal includes 21.5% in wage increases over the next four years, including 6.5% raises in March and October of this year, with additional wage grid and market adjustments that bring the total value to 25%-30% for many members. Language to safeguard against the impact of artificial intelligence was also included.

“We came together with Kaiser Permanente workers across the country to achieve these strong successor contracts. It reflects the months of hard work that went into negotiations and the solidarity shown by all of us at the bargaining table and the Alliance of Healthcare Unions,” according to a statement from the UFCW Southern California Kaiser Permanente Bargaining Committee.

“With significant wage increases, more funding for training and education, and new language on AI and the use of technology, we’ll be better able to care for our patients at work and our families at home,” the statement continued.

Kaiser did not immediately reply to a request for comment Saturday.

The union represents pharmacy assistants, pharmacy technicians, clinical lab scientists, medical lab technicians and clinical and administrative workers in Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura and Kern counties.

In early February, the workers staged a three-day strike against Kaiser Permanente facilities across Southern California and Bakersfield.

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