Kaiser's mental health clinicians say they are ready to strike
Honolulu Star-AdvertiserMay 13, 2022
May 13—Mental health professionals employed by
The clinicians, including psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, medical social workers, psychiatric nurses and chemical dependency counselors, who are represented by the
"We cannot keep apologizing daily to patients in need and members seeking serv ices, for Kaiser's lack of available care, " said
A three-day statewide strike is scheduled to begin Wednesday and last through
The are about 50 clinicians covered under the contract negotiations, a number that the union says is woefully inadequate for a health maintenance organization that serves 260, 000 Hawaii residents.
Kaiser, in response, issued a statement saying that the strike notice was unproductive as it continues to bargain with its employees. Kaiser's mental health clinicians also threatened to strike in November.
"We are not surprised that NUHW is now threatening to strike—this is a bargaining tactic this union has used every time it has bargained for a new or renewed contract with a
Kaiser said that it's working on contingency plans in case the strike is carried out. "If there are changes in our services, patients will be contacted, " said Kaiser.
Negotiations between the union and Kaiser have been highly contentious. In August, Kaiser clinicians sent a letter to company executives detailing the "horrendous state of affairs " of mental health and substance abuse services.
That was followed by complaint filed in November with the state
The complaint, which the union said was based on records provided by a whistle blower within Kaiser, said the HMO's call center was woefully understaffed, making it difficult for those suffering from mental health problems to obtain appointments, and that Kaiser members often have to wait six to seven weeks to obtain initial and return appointments for conditions such as depression, panic attacks and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Kaiser has relied on out-of-network mental health therapists to supplement care, but only 28 % of those providers were actually accepting new members, according to the November complaint.
Kaiser has questioned the accuracy of the complaint's data but doesn't deny that it has a shortage of mental health care providers. The company says those shortages exist nationwide and have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. It's cited a 2021
"
Kaiser says it's trying to attract new therapists in
The union says about one-third of of the unionized mental health clinicians wouldn't receive a raise under Kaiser's currently proposed salary scales and that the company is looking to eliminate pensions for new hires and reduce pensions for current workers. The union says Kaiser also wants to eliminate a retirement savings account for current workers and get rid of educational leave.
"Kaiser executives are making it crystal clear that mental health care does not matter to them, " said
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