More than 30,000 Kaiser Permanente health care workers to end strike in California and Hawaii

February 24, 2026 - 10:55

An estimated 31,000 registered nurses and front-line health care workers at Kaiser Permanente facilities are set to return to work today, concluding a massive four-week strike across California and Hawaii. The labor action, one of the largest in the U.S. health care sector in recent years, centered on demands for improved wages and critical staffing solutions to address chronic workforce shortages.

The strike involved a wide range of personnel, including licensed vocational nurses, emergency department technicians, and radiology technicians. Union representatives consistently highlighted that understaffing has led to burnout and compromised patient care, framing the strike as a necessary step to ensure both worker well-being and hospital safety standards. The extended duration of the work stoppage underscored the deep-seated concerns among the workforce regarding these systemic issues.

While the specific details of a tentative agreement have not been fully disclosed, the decision to end the strike indicates significant progress at the bargaining table. The return of these essential workers will restore full operations and service levels at affected Kaiser hospitals and medical offices, bringing relief to patients and the healthcare system alike. The resolution is being closely watched as a potential bellwether for labor negotiations in the healthcare industry nationwide.