This article is reprinted from the Speak Out Now healthcare newsletter at Kaiser and Highland Hospitals in Oakland, CA.
Recently, Kaiser sent an email to the president of OPEIU local 29 (office, technical, professional and health care employees) regarding upcoming measures aimed at “optimizing reception staffing by standardizing and better utilizing resources.” The precise implications of this statement remain to be seen. Could it mean the firing of senior reception staff? Perhaps a shift from full-time to part-time positions?
Regardless of the specifics, we can expect Kaiser’s main goal with these changes is to follow the familiar recipe: maximizing profits through cost-cutting measures, mainly by understaffing and downsizing roles, and burdening a handful of workers with the workload meant for a larger team. In recent times, at Kaiser Oakland, the administration has routinely been relying on floats instead of hiring full-time staff and requesting additional duties beyond contractual obligations.
Additionally, what’s particularly important in these recent announcements is the absence of consultation with the union, a clear violation of legal and contractual obligations. On top of that, in a recent statement issued by OPEIU 29, administration has been refusing to meet with union representatives. Kaiser should not be cutting vital roles that keep our hospital functioning and our patients safe. Staff up now!
Click here to read the article printed in the 06-04-24 Healthcare Newsletter
