Update: April 25
On Thursday, April 24, our DASH-UNAC/UHCP bargaining team reconvened with Kaiser Permanente management to continue discussions on key shared interests. We remain focused on proposals that support both personal and professional sustainability for our members.
We continued meaningful discussions around auto-promotion pathways and flexible scheduling—both of which are critical to helping our members plan their lives, pursue career advancement, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Our team raised the need to ensure equitable holiday pay for part-time members and began discussions to address this issue. We also initiated conversations around protecting scheduled shifts, advocating for language that prevents last-minute cancellations and supports consistency in scheduling.
Next Session:
Our next bargaining session will continue on May 15, 2025 at the UNAC/UHCP headquarters in San Dimas, CA.
All DASH members are welcome to attend as observers. If you’d like to join us and witness the process firsthand, please sign up using the member link.
Update: April 18
On Wednesday, April 16, our DASH-UNAC/UHCP bargaining team met with Kaiser Permanente management to continue negotiations toward a fair and comprehensive contract. We were joined by Peter Sidhu, UNAC/UHCP Executive Vice President. The session focused on several key interests that reflect our priorities and ongoing work at the table.
Key Topics Discussed:
- Auto-Promotion: KP management is currently reviewing information related to all DASH classifications as part of ongoing discussions around automatic promotion pathways.
- Health Educator (HE) & Registered Dietitian (RD) Classification Separation: We engaged in productive discussions about the importance of clearly separating the responsibilities of these two classifications. Both sides acknowledged the value of establishing clearer role distinctions. We also discussed forming a subgroup to review and update job descriptions to ensure they accurately reflect the current scope of work for Health Educators and Registered Dietitians.
- Weekend Differential: Both teams explored potential approaches to incentivize weekend work and last-minute scheduling changes. The goal is to improve coverage options while acknowledging the challenges that come with short-notice shifts.
- Flexible Scheduling: There is mutual interest in exploring flexible scheduling options. Current proposals from management focus on hourly employees, and we’re continuing conversations to ensure that any solutions developed can support the needs of all DASH members, including those in salaried roles.
Next Session:
Our next bargaining session will take place on Thursday, April 24 at the UNAC/UHCP headquarters in San Dimas, CA.
All DASH members are welcome to attend as observers. If you’d like to join us and witness the process firsthand, please sign up using the member link. Thank you for your continued support as we work toward a contract that truly reflects the value and expertise of our DASH members.
Update: April 11
We successfully kicked off bargaining with KP management on April 8 by introducing our dedicated DASH bargaining team. Team members shared their diverse experiences and powerful personal stories, reinforcing our collective commitment to patient care and staff well-being. A highlight came from DASH bargaining team members Linda Stuart and Vini Beltran, who passionately spoke about the rewarding nature of their work and the deep personal connections that fuel their dedication.
Both sides have been working together to discuss our interests and have already begun meaningful conversations and have established logistics and scheduled future sessions to maintain momentum toward securing a contract by September 1, 2025. Some of the discussions we’ve had so far include:
- Recruiting and retaining highly skilled professionals to ensure continuity of care.
- Promoting flexible scheduling with clear, equitable guidelines for all staff.
- Strengthening the Labor-Management Partnership through transparency and collaboration.
- Fostering a culture of empowerment, where staff feel safe voicing concerns and proposing innovative solutions.
- Creating clear and consistent career advancement opportunities across all disciplines.
On April 10, we spent a considerable amount of time reaffirmed our commitment to the interest-based bargaining process, dedicating time to align on shared interests and priorities. We also continued meaningful discussions around creating clear, consistent career advancement pathways across all disciplines and expanding flexible scheduling options beyond the standard 8-hour shift.
Update: March 14
Southern California Kickoff
We’re ready to work toward a contract that strengthens our labor-management partnership and ensures the best care for our patients. Nearly 30,000 registered nurses and healthcare professionals across Southern California are coming together to advocate for wages that attract, retain, and respect the dedicated professionals who keep Kaiser Permanente at the forefront of healthcare.
Representing registered nurses, pharmacists, rehab therapists, optometrists, dietitians, audiologists, health educators, and speech-language pathologists, we know that delivering high-quality care starts with safe staffing. When teams are fully supported, patients receive the best care, and professionals can work at the top of their licenses.
Almost all Southern California KP contracts expire on September 30, 2025. These negotiations are a key opportunity to strengthen our workforce, improve patient outcomes, and reinforce the partnership that has provided high-quality care to Kaiser Permanente patients.
Together, we are committed to solutions that support healthcare professionals, enhance patient care, and uphold our shared mission. Stay engaged—this is our moment to make a real difference.