Contracts & Bargaining
Our Northern California Association of Midwives (NCAM) Bargaining Team
Kelsey Kosmadakis, CNM
Emily Hardy, CNM
Jessica Martinez, CNM
Hannah Bronsky Pena, CNM
Jen Scholz, CNM
Donna Haddad, RN, BSN, Lead Negotiator
Rafael Rodriguez, MBA, BSN, RN, PHN, UNAC/UHCP Staff Representative
Omar Herrera, RN, UNAC/UHCP Staff Representative
Bargaining Report
This week, the NCAM bargaining team met at the new UNAC/UHCP Headquarters in Southern California to continue negotiations toward our first contract. Our team focused much of the session on preparing a strong counterproposal to management’s most recent package proposal.
We met with both management and the mediator to discuss scheduling. However, management did not provide a counterproposal. Kaiser continues to signal an interest in shifting members to a standardized template schedule, while your bargaining team remains committed to protecting self-scheduling, which has long supported work-life balance and operational flexibility. Discussions with management on this issue will continue.
We also met with the mediator to review a new proposal from management regarding the transition from non-exempt to exempt status. After careful analysis, our team submitted a counterproposal establishing a joint labor-management committee to study the implications of exempt status and develop a fair, transparent implementation plan before any transition occurs.
Next week, we will continue bargaining at the InterContinental Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles.
Bargaining Report
This week in bargaining on November 4-5 we continued discussions on the issue of self-scheduling, responding to management’s many questions and illustrating in detail what self-scheduling is, and is not. This issue remains open and we will continue to work towards a mutually agreeable solution.
We are pleased to report that we have reached Tentative Agreement on:
A lot of work still lies ahead to bargain a contract that will be agreeable for our members. KP responded to our package proposal on economics but unfortunately they are still pushing unacceptable wages and want take-aways on benefits. They also continue to press for the implementation of templates for scheduling, which would lock in schedules and not allow any flexibility for members to make changes to the days worked, when necessary. We continue to push back on this.
Your continuing support for our team and for what we are fighting to achieve is key to reaching an acceptable and successful outcome to bargaining. Thank you so much for your continuing solidarity!
Our next bargaining session is November 12-14 at UNAC/UHCP headquarters in the City of Industry.
Additional bargaining dates are scheduled for the following week on November 17-19 at the Intercontinental hotel in Los Angeles.
We have scheduled a bargaining town hall meeting for CNMs on this coming Tuesday, November 11 at 6:30pm. Please utilize the link below to join. We look forward to seeing you there.
Your NCAM Bargaining Team
Bargaining Report
Our team met with management to continue bargaining this week on October 28-29.
We presented an updated package proposal inclusive of language needed to protect CNMs, including on matters of scheduling. A lot of time was spent explaining our package to management and answering their questions related to it. They did not provide a response but indicated they would submit a response at our next bargaining session.
We did attain a new Tentative Agreement covering Mileage, and are close to another TA on hours of work.
We will return to bargaining on November 4-5 in Los Angeles. Our work is far from over, and we remain united, prepared, and ready to do whatever it takes to secure our first contract.
Your NCAM Bargaining Team
Bargaining Report
This week we returned to the bargaining table with management for two days, on October 22-23, and although discussions were conducted in earnest ultimately we were disappointed to receive a rejection of our latest package proposal on wages and benefits. No counter was given.
Scheduling remains a large topic for discussion also and we did review this at length with continuing discussion expected.
Our next bargaining sessions are on October 28-29 in Los Angeles.
We want to express a special note of appreciation for NCAM members Katie Towers and Anne Galko, who made the long trip to L.A. to support our team in person. Thanks as well for all of the support and effort made by the membership to show up on the strike lines last week. Your commitment to show our solidarity and strength is exceptional.
Your NCAM Bargaining Team
Early this morning, at approximately 2:00 a.m., during bargaining in San Diego, management walked away from the table just as our NCAM team was prepared to present serious proposals.
Our team gave the employer every opportunity to do meaningful work.
We remain committed and prepared to move forward. Stay tuned for the next update and stay ready.
In solidarity and strength,
Your NCAM Bargaining Team
Our NCAM team met with management September 24-26 prepared to accomplish as much as possible on the remaining outstanding issues.
We attained Tentative Agreements on the following issues:
Grievance and Arbitration
Education
Corrective Action
“Agreement” (acknowledging UNAC/UHCP and NCAM as the bargaining unit bargaining the contract)
KP presented a counter on wages that remains incredibly disappointing, offering less than what CNMs currently make. Clearly KP undervalues the work, professionalism, and unique skillset that CNMs bring to patient care. Management also resubmitted a benefits package proposal full of takeaways from their current benefits package.
Bargaining continues next week in San Diego on September 29 and 30.
Thank you as always to the many member observers continuing to attend bargaining in support of our team.
Due to bargaining on Sept. 29 and 30 our regularly scheduled town hall meeting is postponed until the following week. Details will be provided in our next update.
During three days of bargaining last week on Sept. 10, 11, and 12 in Los Angeles our team continued to press for meaningful progress at the table.
We reached two Tentative Agreements (TAs) covering:
In addition we held extensive discussions about but did not yet resolve issues related to:
On Friday morning our team extensively questioned KP on their PTO/ESL proposal and highlighted that their proposal includes reductions to ESL accruals and removes the current practice of keeping CNMs whole for holidays not worked. We also educated KP on LMP principles as they acknowledged at the table that it is new to them in NCAL
Management has not yet offered a response to our economic proposal.
Once again we had an amazing show of support from observers! The bargaining room was filled to capacity by member observers from NCAM, observers from other bargaining tables, and the UNAC/UHCP executive officers. This display of union solidarity did appear to impact the management side as they were clearly not expecting it.
This week in bargaining NCAM members put on an epic show of power thanks to the more than forty members who attended bargaining in person. Make no mistake, your presence and passion moved the needle BIG TIME!
On day one of our two days of scheduled bargaining, August 13 and 14, our members packed the room along with our bargaining team, UNAC/UHCP’s Executive Leaders, Executive Director, and Kaiser’s head of labor relations. Our members and our team left no doubt in the air as to the level of frustration we have with the disrespect we have received from management. The lack of partnership exhibited by KP during the past year has been deeply upsetting, and the last wage proposal management passed to us ignited a fire previously unknown to KP.
This week one-hundred percent (100%) of CNMs who voted authorized a strike if necessary—another powerful message to Kaiser that we are united and ready to act. While our preference is always to reach an agreement through negotiation, we are prepared to escalate if necessary to secure a strong, fair contract.
Facing this avalanche of unity and strength from our members, KP has withdrawn their initial wage proposal. They are reassessing the circumstances and have indicated that we should expect to receive an improved proposal at our next bargaining sessions on August 27 and 28.
We also reached five Tentative Agreements (TAs) during bargaining this week that help move us forward.
The agreements cover the following:
You made a huge difference this week. The movement we achieved at the table derived directly from your attendance, demonstrating beyond doubt that unity matters and showing up matters. Let’s continue to flex at the next sessions. Make plans now to attend bargaining on August 27 and 28! Bargaining will again be in Oakland at the Marriott City Center hotel.
They haven’t heard us yet, so we’re turning up the volume!
Kaiser Northern California Certified Nurse Midwives will strike on September 8, 2025.
Our labor brings life. When Nurse Midwives are valued, Kaiser patients get the safe, compassionate care they need.
CNMs with UNAC/UHCP will picket in Oakland and Roseville to demonstrate their resolve and unity. Attend the town hall meeting next Tuesday, Sept. 2 to receive up-to-the-minute information about our strike on Sept. 8.
Essential Info:
Strike Town Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 2 at 8 p.m.
Meeting Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/zgZJEHcxTfOqYOOW3ywHkQ
Strike Day
Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, at 7 a.m. and ending at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025.
Picket Times and Locations
Kaiser Permanente
Roseville Medical Center and Medical Office Buildings located at 1600, 1640, and 1660 Eureka Road,
Roseville, CA 95661.
Kaiser Permanente
Oakland Medical Center
3600 and 3701 Broadway
Oakland, CA 94611
Picketing will take place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at both locations.
Sign up for shifts at unacuhcp.org/strikeKPNCAL
Click here to read the strike notice
Strike Town Hall Tuesday, Sept. 2
Please make plans to attend the strike town hall being held next Tuesday,
Sept. 2 at 8 p.m.
Register to attend using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/zgZJEHcxTfOqYOOW3ywHkQ
This week, our NCAM bargaining team met with management for three intensive days of negotiations in Sacramento. We remained united and focused, continuing to review and respond to management’s so-called “comprehensive” package proposal with clear, thoughtful, and reasonable counteroffers that reflect the needs and priorities of Certified Nurse-Midwives.
Despite our good-faith efforts, management made it crystal clear that it is not here to bargain in earnest. Management struck nearly our entire package and replaced it with the same recycled language previously proposed, demonstrating a deliberate refusal to collaborate or compromise.
Management flat-out rejected our proposals on:
On other key issues—Corrective Action, Harassment, and Membership—management responded with boilerplate language pulled from other UNAC/UHCP contracts, offering nothing meaningful or tailored to the specific needs of our unit.
Even more alarming, the employer presented a Health and Welfare package filled with takeaways, attempting to strip CNMs of critical, hard-earned benefits and protections.
At the end of Day 3, management introduced a wage grid that insulted our profession, proposing wages lower than what CNMs are currently earning. No data or rationale was provided, just another sign that management continues to undervalue and disrespect our work.
Management also continues to push back on self-scheduling, ignoring our repeated efforts to explain its importance. The employer insists on imposing a rigid template schedule, showing a clear lack of understanding about what CNMs need to succeed.
Throughout the three days, our members showed up in force to observe and bear witness. Every one of them walked away disheartened by management’s dismissive attitude and the employer’s blatant disregard for partnership and respect.
Let us be absolutely clear: We are not backing down.
This is a pivotal moment. Now is the time for every NCAM member to rise up, stand together, and show management the power of a united and mobilized workforce.
We are strong. We are united. We are ready to fight for what we’ve earned—and we will not be ignored.
Our NCAM bargaining team met with Kaiser Permanente management for two days of negotiations focused on one of our most critical priorities: Scheduling.
Our NCAM team emphasized how the ability to schedule their own shifts directly impacts patient safety, work-life balance, and job satisfaction. Unfortunately, KP management continued to push for a standardized scheduling model across all service areas—despite clear differences in processes, staffing needs, and patient care dynamics in each location. This disconnect reflects a lack of true partnership from management on a topic that matters deeply to our members.
We also received a counter package proposal from management, which the team is currently reviewing and will respond to in upcoming sessions.
We’re grateful to the many observers who joined us wearing their UNAC/UHCP swag—your presence matters. Solidarity at the table sends a clear message: this contract matters, and we’re ready to take action to protect our rights and improve our working conditions.
We need even more members to show up and make your voices heard. Let’s show Kaiser that we’re united and serious about securing a fair contract. Join us at our next bargaining session in Sacramento.
Bargaining Debrief: Monday, July 21
Join us for a virtual bargaining debrief on Monday, July 21, at 12:30 PM.
Future Bargaining Dates:
July 29 – Sacramento Sheraton Grand
July 30 – Sacramento Sheraton Grand
July 31 – Sacramento Sheraton Grand
August 13 – Oakland Marriott City Center
August 14 – Oakland Marriott City Center
August 20 – Oakland Marriott City Center
August 21 – Oakland Marriott City Center
Our NCAM bargaining team met with KP management for three days from June 24 to June 26.
During these sessions, KP continued to question the package proposal we submitted on May 21, focusing heavily on wording issues—debating terms like “employee,” “CNM,” “member,” “Union,” “Association,” and “representatives.” Unfortunately, this has led to significant time being spent on semantics rather than substantive negotiations or providing counterproposals to the items we’ve put forward.
Despite being in negotiations for over a year, we’ve only reached 11 Tentative Agreements (TAs). KP has tried to shift blame onto our team instead of acknowledging that they’ve held onto many proposals without responding. Our package proposal was intended to move discussions forward, yet progress remains slow.
On a positive note, we reached a TA on Per Diems during this session. We also presented counters on Corrective Action, though discussions on these topics continue to stall.
Given the lack of movement, we proposed bringing in a mediator to help drive real progress. So far, KP has resisted this solution, highlighting their unwillingness to take meaningful steps toward resolving outstanding issues.
Several observers joined us during the sessions—thank you for your support. Now more than ever, we need to show the strength and unity of our membership. We encourage even more observers to attend future sessions to demonstrate that our midwives deserve respect, value, and fair treatment.
This week on June 10 and 11 our team met with management in Oakland to continue bargaining.
We received three counters from management on the following items that were included in the package of proposals we passed to management at the previous session; per-diem availability, seniority, and corrective action.
We talked exhaustively about these items and others included in our package and will continue to make clear the merit of our proposals while addressing concerns brought forward by management. The work put in this week was well worth it as we have reached Tentative Agreement (TA) on Seniority! We were able to move towards agreement on per-diem availability but still have some work to do to wrap that up completely.
Thank you to the member observers who were in attendance this week and also to those who have attended previous sessions. Your presence helps show our strength and we appreciate your support and show of solidarity! What’s more your efforts to attend bargaining and to wear blue on bargaining days sends a strong signal to KP that this process and your contract are important to you.
As we move ahead into the summer months we expect a rise in intensity as we move into economic issues including wages and benefits. Please continue to show up and let KP know that we will not be satisfied with anything less than what our members have earned and deserve.
During bargaining this week on May 20 and 21 we continued to engage with management in robust discussions. They passed counter proposals to us on per-diem commitment and seniority and we took the opportunity to discuss these issues including per-diem commitment accountability and employee seniority retention in the event an employee leaves the bargaining unit and returns within twelve months.
Our team also focused heavily on putting together a comprehensive package of proposals for subjects not yet covered in prior bargaining sessions. We worked hard to pass a substantial number of proposals to management and expect them to use the time between sessions to prepare thorough responses so that we may move forward towards the goal of reaching a final Agreement. We also took the opportunity to stress the value of the interest based negotiations process that was jointly agreed upon at the onset of this bargaining process.
Thank you very much to the NCAM members who joined us this week as member observers. More members attended this week than have been able to attend past sessions and your support is appreciated!
Our next bargaining sessions take place in Oakland on June 10, 11, and 12. Please join us in person if you can.
We spent April 29 and 30 deeply engaged in productive discussions around Per Diem Commitment and Availability. We’re very close to reaching a tentative agreement (TA), though further dialogue is needed regarding processes when per diem commitments aren’t fulfilled.
Our bargaining team provided a counter-proposal on Corrective Action and introduced a new proposal focused on Lactation Time, ensuring supportive work conditions for nursing parents.
We’re encouraged by continued member involvement, with observers attending sessions and providing vital support to our negotiating team. Your continued support is crucial as we move closer to finalizing agreements.
Our next bargaining sessions will be held May 20 and 21 in Sacramento. Also, the additional bargaining dates have been scheduled:
• July 15 & 16
• August 13, 14, 20 & 21
Next Steps
Please note, there will be no bargaining update meeting this coming week. Instead, we’re preparing a Town Hall to discuss several important issues, including exempt vs. hourly pay. Mark your calendars for Friday, May 16 at 12:30 PM PT.
The NCAM bargaining team met with Kaiser Permanente from April 15 to 17 to continue negotiations for our first contract. Over three days of bargaining, we made clear that midwives deserve a contract that reflects our unique roles and interests—not a recycled agreement from other labor tables.
This is a fight—and we are in it for a contract that works for midwives and protects our best interests. Management may try to streamline proposals across different bargaining tables, but our team is committed to bargaining language that truly serves our members and the profession we represent.
Our next bargaining dates are on April 29 and 30 in Oakland. As always, NCAM members are encouraged to attend bargaining sessions as observers—your presence makes a difference.
Please join members of your bargaining team on Monday, April 21 at 12:30 PM PT to debrief bargaining from this past week.
Four members of our NCAM bargaining team with David Sereni, MPT, UNAC/UHCP staff representative.
Two TAs and a Staffing Win!
This week, we secured two Tentative Agreements—one on probation, the other on performance evaluations.
We also reached agreement on Central Valley Area support during short staffing, with protections to ensure members can safely transition between day and night shifts.
Management pushed back hard at times, and we had to remind them that this was Interest-Based Problem Solving, not positional bargaining.
Observers continue to make a big impact. Join us in Sacramento for more bargaining, April 15-17—your voice matters!
BARGAINING DEBRIEF:
Please join members of your bargaining team on Monday, March 24 at 6:30 PM PT to debrief bargaining from this past week. We will also use this time to discuss the scheduled survey, as requested by membership. Please note that we are adding time to this meeting to accommodate this request.
Click here to join the debrief.
Coming up:
Our bargaining team continued to push for solutions for staffing at the table this week. Primarily we worked to find a temporary solution that meets staffing needs in the Central Valley service area while posted positions are not yet filled. We wrote a letter of agreement that is currently in management’s hands.
At the table, the employer gave us two proposals on per diem work commitments and articles of employment. Our team will review and evaluate.
Observers continue to take part in bargaining. Your voice matters. Join us in Oakland this week.
Bargaining update chat: March 10, 12:30pm PT
Informational picket: March 11, starting at 11:00am PT, Kaiser Roseville Medical Center; please see information below
Bargaining: March 18-19 in Oakland
Dear NCAL CNMs,
On March 11, all of UNAC/UHCP will be rallying behind the NorCal groups* and we need to make sure NCAL midwives are active and visible on this day of action.
Choose one of three ways to participate:
In solidarity,
Your CNM Bargaining Team
P.S. Even if you cannot attend the rally in Roseville, we still would like all midwives to fill out the registration form at unacuhcp.org/DOA, selecting “I am willing to participate in a visibility action at my worksite”.
* UNAC/UHCP represents over 2,750 Northern California Kaiser professionals across seven classifications: Physician Assistants, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, Certified Nurse-Midwives, Physical and Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists and Licensed Acupuncturists.
This week, your CNM Bargaining Team engaged in intense, interest-based discussions with KP on scheduling, staffing, and per diems. We made it clear: chronic short staffing is unsustainable, and CNMs are consistently working beyond their status to provide the best care for patients.
On February 26, we passed a proposal on Job Posting Notifications. However, KP failed to introduce or counter any proposals.
On February 27, discussions continued, focusing on per diem minimum commitments and schedules. While no proposals were exchanged, we took action by delivering our 10-day notice for the Informational Picket & Day of Action in Sacramento.
What’s Next? Stay Engaged
March 3, 2025 – Bargaining Update (6:30 PM) – Get the latest updates and prepare for next steps. Register at: unacuhcp.org/cnm-updates
March 5, 2025 – Next Bargaining Session (Sacramento) – Be part of the process—your presence reinforces our strength at the table.
March 11, 2025 – Informational Picket & Day of Action – Roseville Medical Center, 1600 Eureka Rd, at 11:00 AM. Stand with your UNAC/UHCP colleagues—NCAL CRNAs, CNMs, and UTNC—as we fight for fair contracts. Join our Region-wide Day of Action to show our collective strength! RSVP at unacuhcp.org/DOA
Our NCAM bargaining team met on Wednesday, February 5, and Thursday, February 6, to continue contract negotiations. We began discussions of work status (including full- time, part-time, per diem, short hour, and temporary positions), shift start times, and the ongoing discussion of exempt versus non-exempt status.
We then had a productive, interest-based conversation about self-scheduling and backfill. We heard from our CNM colleagues and management regarding their respective interests and are collaborating to find mutually agreeable solutions.
We also presented a counterproposal on probation and are close to reaching an agreement. We are pleased to announce we have reached a tentative agreement (TA) on just cause – which helps protect NCAM members from unfair discipline and/or termination.
Our next bargaining sessions are scheduled for February 26 and 27 in Sacramento.
To download this bargaining update, click here.
Our NCAM bargaining team kicked off the new year by meeting with management in Oakland on Tuesday, January 7, and Wednesday, January 8, 2025. We were joined at the table by Brian Mason, UNAC/UHCP Director, and Peter Sidhu, RN, UNAC/UHCP Executive Vice President.
We began negotiations with discussions about a potential change in bargaining locations due to space constraints.
We presented counterproposals on shift definitions, evaluations, probation, and harassment. The discussion on harassment was particularly powerful, with our team members sharing personal experiences that underscored the importance of the proposed language.
No Tentative Agreements were reached this week. Our next bargaining sessions are scheduled for Wednesday, January 22, and Thursday, January 23, in Oakland.
Show your support at our next bargaining session! Connect with a CAT members to sign up to attend bargaining in-person or wear your UNAC/UHCP gear on bargaining days and share a photo.
To download this bargaining update, click here.
Our NCAM bargaining team met with management on Wednesday, December 18 and Thursday, December 19, 2024 to continue negotiate our contract.
We reached a Tentative Agreement (TA) on New Employee Orientation (NEO) and presented proposals on the Regional CNM committee, commitment to Labor Management Partnership, medical malpractice, and communication.
Kaiser management countered our proposals on recognition and coverage and presented shift definitions.
Extensive discussions regarding partnership took place over both days. We are concerned by KP’s reluctance to include contractual language addressing partnership and collaboration.
As this concludes our bargaining sessions for the year, we want to thank you for your continued support, solidarity, and collaboration. We wish you a happy holiday season and a prosperous new year.
UPCOMING BARGAINING DATES:
Bargaining will pick up in the new year on January 7 and January 8, 2025 in Oakland. Please plan to join us if possible.
To download this bargaining update, click here.
This week, on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, our bargaining team met with Kaiser management in Sacramento to continue negotiations on our contract. We appreciate the support of our colleagues who attended as observers.
During the meeting, we engaged in detailed discussions to clarify our union access and representation proposal, emphasizing our intent to secure the necessary access to effectively support all NCAM members. We also discussed probation, maintaining our position that Kaiser Permanente must align its policies with established, effective practices, rather than relying on language and policies that are inconsistent enforced.
To address the significant ongoing education requirements for CNMs, we presented a proposal focused on supporting CNMs in meeting regulatory and KP policy standards.
The day concluded with the employer presenting a new proposal on Work Schedules and Assignments that includes mandatory overtime and last-minute scheduling changes based on operational needs. This proposal, which disregards our work-life balance, was blatantly disrespectful.
NEXT STEPS:
Our bargaining team will review management’s proposal on work schedules with the goal of creating a balance between flexibility and structure, and to define clear expectations for schedule posting and work week commitments.
To download this bargaining update, click here.
Our bargaining team, joined by Joe Guzynski, UNAC/UHCP Executive Director, Peter Sidhu, UNAC/UHCP Executive Vice President, and fellow midwife colleagues, met with Kaiser management on Tuesday, November 5 and Wednesday, November 6, 2024.
We started bargaining with discussions on Kaiser’s proposal to redefine how midwives are compensated—whether we remain salaried or move to an hourly structure. This issue is critical to our working conditions and professional standards. We also discussed:
We closed the session by reinforcing our stance with counter-proposals on NEO and Representation.
Your solidarity is crucial. Join us at our next bargaining session or wear your UNAC/UHCP gear on bargaining days. Let’s show Kaiser the power of our united front. Connect with our CAT members to sign up to attend bargaining or share a photo of you in UNAC/UHCP gear.
To download this bargaining update, click here.
Our NCAL Midwives bargaining team met with Kaiser management in Sacramento on Tuesday, October 15 and Wednesday, October 16 to continue negotiations for our first contract.
KEY UPDATES:
Observer Presence: Kaiser management continues to object to observers being present during bargaining sessions. However, we have persisted and maintained their presence.
Just Cause and Seniority: We presented a counterproposal regarding Just Cause and seniority, focusing on preserving seniority rights for CNMs who leave their positions and wish to return within a set time period.
Employment Status: Kaiser introduced a proposal to address employment status, which usually only includes full-time, part-time, short-hour, and per diem roles. However, management also proposed changing the CNMs’ status from salaried to hourly. Our bargaining team sought clarity on the intent of the proposal but management failed to provide a sound explanation for this decision. Our team is concerned about the potential implications of this proposal and wants to discuss it with our coworkers as we work to develop a counter proposal.
Please join the upcoming bargaining chat for more information.
Our team also presented proposals on free parking for employees and the confidentiality of records and protected health information. Despite Kaiser’s continued use of traditional bargaining tactics and resistance to open bargaining remain obstacles, our bargaining team remains committed to advocating for the interests of our members and reaching a fair contract.
To download this bargaining update, click here.
Our NCAL Midwives bargaining team met with Kaiser management again on Wednesday, September 25 and Thursday, September 26 in Concord, CA to continue bargaining for our first contract.
We made progress, securing tentative agreements on courtesy and bulletin board access. These agreements will foster a respectful workplace and ensure timely communication.
We also discussed Grievance and Arbitration, Probation, New Employee Orientation, and Seniority.
However, challenges remain, particularly with KP’s focus on traditional bargaining tactics, release time, and their continued refusal to have open bargaining, we remain committed to advocating for our members’ interests.
Our next bargaining sessions are scheduled for Tuesday, October 15 and Wednesday, October 16 in Sacramento.
To download this bargaining update, click here.
Our Midwife bargaining team met with Kaiser management on Wednesday, September 4 and Thursday, September 5 to continue negotiations for our contract. We grappled with contentious issues during this week’s negotiations.
A primary obstacle to progress was the issue of NEO, evaluation and harassment. Kaiser management remains steadfast in its stance on these critical matters, a position that we vehemently oppose. We firmly believe that these demands are non-negotiable and must be addressed to ensure a safe and equitable workplace for all midwives.
Additionally, management continues to oppose observers at our bargaining sessions, but our dedicated members remain steadfast in their support of our bargaining team in a demonstration of solidarity. While we did present our proposals regarding seniority and recognition & coverage, these topics will be further discussed at our upcoming bargaining meeting scheduled for September 25 and 26 in Concord.
Our commitment to achieving a fair and equitable contract that safeguards the rights and interests of all Northern California midwives at Kaiser remains unwavering. We will continue to advocate for a contract that aligns with our dedication to providing exceptional care to our patients.
Please stay informed as negotiations unfold!
To download this bargaining update, click here.
Our midwives bargaining team met with Kaiser Permanente representatives on Wednesday, August 21 and Thursday, August 22, 2024 to continue bargaining for our first UNAC/UHCP contract after a two-month interval.
Our bargaining team reached three Tentative Agreements (TAs) on the following topics:
We have had discussions on Probation, performance reviews, management authority, union recognition, hiring
criteria, job postings, and new employee onboarding.
We’ve made some progress, but we’re deeply concerned about management’s insistence on imposing language
from other contracts that don’t fit our needs. We’ll keep fighting for fairness and transparency, and we won’t accept unfair terms. Lastly, we’re taking a stand against management’s refusal to allow observers at our bargaining sessions. We’ve introduced observers to the table to demonstrate our commitment to transparency and accountability.
To download this bargaining update, click here.
Following our first session of negotiations on May 30th, our bargaining team reconvened with Kaiser Permanente representatives on Tuesday, June 18 to continue bargaining for our first UNAC/UHCP contract.
While no tentative agreements (TAs) were reached today, Kaiser introduced proposals on probationary periods and performance evaluations. Our team will thoroughly review these proposals and formulate a response in the coming sessions.
Member Participation:
Kaiser has taken an unprecedented approach, by objecting to members attending bargaining. We have a history of over 50 years of bargaining with Kaiser without any issues regarding member attendance. Kaiser’s current insistence on conducting negotiations behind closed doors raises concerns about their transparency.
We had several dedicated members travel from across the Northern California region to observe the session. Although they were unable to attend the session itself, they actively participated in our caucus. We remain confident in our members’ right to be involved in this process and will continue to pursue all avenues.
Next Steps:
Looking ahead, our next bargaining meetings will be held in Sacramento, with the location to be announced soon. The tentative dates for these sessions are July 10 and 11. We will keep you updated as we progress. Thank you for your continued support and dedication.
To download this bargaining update, click here.
We kicked off this month with training on Wednesday, May 29, and negotiations on Thursday, May 30. We had a joint training session with management on interest-based negotiations, with the intention to work collaboratively to address concerns at the bargaining table, reflecting the foundations of our labor-management partnership.
We started the second day with a joint discussion with management on ground rules for bargaining, including logistics such as meeting cadence, location, and attendees. We also began discussions on the topic of courtesy to solidify the respectful and dignified treatment of our midwife colleagues.
Our next bargaining date is Tuesday, June 18. Stay tuned for more updates!
In case you missed it, we would like to reintroduce our NCAL KP midwives bargaining team from each area:
To download bargaining update, click here.
