Contracts & Bargaining
Kerin Asher-Galloway, CNN
Jessica Gonzalez, CNM
Diana Guerrero, CWON
Tessa Hartfield, CNM
Pamela Loera, CWOCN
Misty Molina, CNM
Jenny Payne, ICDNP
Zoila Coronado, CNM
Mirna Saavedra, CNM
Rafael Rodriguez, RN, Lead Negotiator
Omar Coreas-Herrera, RN
Cheryl Walker, OT
We are energized to have started economic discussions. On June 18, we presented a proposal to increase the Qualified Bilingual Staff (QBS) differential. During extensive discussions with management, we emphasized the value that qualified bilingual staff bring to patient care and their positive impact on the overall patient experience. The current QBS 1 differential stands at $0.38 per hour, while QBS 2 is $0.55 per hour—rates that have remained unchanged for over a decade. We believe that increasing the QBS differential is long overdue, particularly given Southern California’s diverse population.
We also exchanged several proposals. Management submitted 2 proposals changing the transfer rights for probationary employees and for non-probationary employees. Our bargaining team will review these proposals closely. The employer also responded with a counter to our proposed APP Committee language, and we are close to reaching a tentative agreement (TA).
We will continue pushing for a strong contract that honors the dedication and contributions of all our members.
Join Us at Bargaining!
As we dive deeper into economic negotiations, your presence as an observer can make all the difference! Be part of the action, hear the discussions that will shape your future, and help us demonstrate our unwavering unity.
Below are our next bargaining dates.
• July 8 at KP Independence Park, Downey, CA
• July 22 at KP Independence Park, Downey, CA
• July 24 at KP Independence Park, Downey, CA
• August 18 at UNAC/UHCP Headquarters, San Dimas, CA
• August 19 at UNAC/UHCP Headquarters, San Dimas, CA
• August 25 at UNAC/UHCP Headquarters, San Dimas, CA
• August 26 aat UNAC/UHCP Headquarters, San Dimas, CA
RSVP in Memberlink. Bargaining typically begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. and observers may join for any amount of time.
After several sessions centered on interest-based dialogue, we are excited that we passed multiple proposals across the table and also received several proposals from management when we met on June 3.
While we have not yet reached a Tentative Agreement, we are entering into a new phase of negotiations focused on refining proposals.
We passed over 5 proposals to management, 3 introducing new language and 2 that clean up existing contract language.
Proposals Introducing New Language:
• Lactation Accommodation: Our bargaining team proposed language that protects mother and infant well-being. Members of KPCSP regularly promote breastfeeding with patients and care for patients who breastfeed. One bargaining team member provided a testimonial about how her patient developed an infection due to inadequate time for milk expression while working as a nurse, highlighting the medical necessity of proper lactation support.
• Lead Position for Certified Nurse Midwives: We passed to management language providing a clear framework for eligibility, selection, and responsibilities of the Lead Certified Midwife, a role some members are currently fulfilling without proper compensation.
• Notice of Vacancies and Job Postings: Our proposal adds job vacancy and posting notifications, consistent with language in other UNAC/UHCP contracts with Kaiser.
Proposals that Update Current Contract Language:
• Advanced Practice Committees (Paragraph 1579): We proposed language that allows all APPs, including ones newly added to our unit, the opportunity to attend the Advanced Practice Committees at their local medical center.
• Use of Extended Sick Leave (Paragraph 1829): We put forward contract language so that use of extended sick leave is calculated in a way that is more inclusive of members who work different types of shifts.
Management passed three proposals and a counter proposal this week addressing the Grievance Procedure (Paragraph 1102), change in Bereavement Leave, Employee Trial Period, and a counter to our proposal on Incidental Time Off Requests.
Where We’re At
The strong foundation we built during our first six weeks of bargaining—learning about mutual interests and establishing our commitment to collaborative problem-solving—prepares us well for our current stage of bargaining as well as the upcoming discussions on economics.
Next Bargaining Session
We are scheduled to meet with management on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. We welcome KPCSP members to join us as observers! RSVP in Memberlink.
At bargaining on Thursday, May 29, 2025, we held deep discussions with management on per diem scheduling practices after management shared a proposal on per diem availability and commitment with increased requirements. We applaud our bargaining team for providing testimonies from real life scenarios that redirected conversation towards addressing the per diem scheduling issues experienced by our KPCSP members and management’s shortcomings in their utilization of per diems and existing contractual language.
We presented a different perspective that aims to resolve a key challenge experienced by KPSCP members: the lack of staffing at night shift for per diem midwives due to the current workday definition language. We proposed changing the defined work day to begin at the start of an employee’s shift in order to resolve the night shift scheduling problem because it would allow per diem midwives who work night shift to earn overtime, similar to when they work day shifts. This proposal presents a solution that ensures fair and equitable practices and compensation across our bargaining unit and would foster per diem utilization.
We look forward to continuing the momentum next week as we continue to bargain for contractual language that makes sense and addresses real problems that affect KPCSP members and their work lives.
Next Bargaining Session
Our next bargaining session is scheduled for Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at our UNAC/UHCP Headquarters in San Dimas. If you are interested in attending as an observer, please sign up in Memberlink.
We continue to move forward in our contract negotiations as we gave management our first proposal. We met with management on Wednesday, May 14, and shared a proposal that outlines a uniform response to time off requests. The proposal included timely and specific processes to foster transparency, work-life balance, and quality patient care. We look forward to management’s response to this proposal.
We also had positive interest-based discussions regarding per diem language in the KPCSP contract.
Next Bargaining Session
We bargain again on Thursday, May 29 at our UNAC/UHCP Headquarters in San Dimas. We always welcome members to join us and observe the negotiation process. RSVP in Memberlink.
We met with management on April 22 and April 23 and fully engaged in an interest-based bargaining approach to develop deeper understandings of workplace issues. By continuing to build on a foundation based on mutual understanding, collaboration, and solutions-oriented problem-solving, we strengthened our position to negotiate a strong contract.
One important conversation topic explored the time period of management responses to incidental time-off requests. Our bargaining team members shared personal stories of how current practices impacted work-life balance and patient care. The discussions led to larger conversations about scheduling practices and operational needs. We devoted time to brainstorming common interests in addition to having preliminary discussions about possible solutions to address the negative impacts upon staff and patients.
We continued to build on a strong foundation of interest-based bargaining and are ready to bargain the best contract possible for our KPCSP members.
What’s Next?
The next bargaining session is scheduled for Wednesday, May 14 at Downey Independence Park. We welcome observers to join us! Sign up in MemberLink. Please note that attendance as an observer must occur during your personal time.
We had a productive start to local contract negotiations. We met with management on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at UNAC/UHCP Headquarters in San Dimas, CA. We utilized the interest-based bargaining approach, which is anchored in mutual respect, common interest, and collaborative problem-solving. To facilitate negotiations moving forward, we discussed and agreed to ground rules and set the foundation in partnership principles.
Before meeting with management, UNAC/UHCP President Charmaine S. Morales, RN, and Vice President Peter Sidhu, RN, visited the bargaining team and shared words of wisdom, encouragement, and support.
Our Bargaining Team
Our bargaining team has been meeting regularly, preparing diligently, and is ready to negotiate the best contract possible. Members of the bargaining team are:
KPCSP Officers:
Kerin Asher-Galloway, CNN
Jessica Gonzalez, CNM
Diana Guerrero, CWON
Tessa Hartfield, CNM
Pamela Loera, CWOCN
Misty Molina, CNM
Jenny Payne, ICDNP
Zoila Coronado, CNM
Mirna Saavedra, CNM
UNAC/UHCP Staff Representatives:
Rafael Rodriguez, RN, Lead Negotiator
Omar Coreas-Herrera, RN
Cheryl Walker, OT
Looking Ahead
Our next bargaining dates are below. Bargaining sessions are open, and you are welcome to attend as an observer. Please note that attendance as an observer must occur during your personal time. Sign up to be an observer in Memberlink.
• Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at 10am at UNAC/UHCP Headquarters (955 Overland Court, San Dimas, CA 91773)
• Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at Kaiser Permanente Independence Park (Downey).
Make sure you are getting all the important information that comes along with bargaining our next contract. Memberlink (memberlink.unacuhcp.org) is our UNAC/UHCP member portal for filing a staffing objection, finding educational opportunities, signing up for trainings and conducting other union activities. Login to make sure your information is up-to-date.
If you need help updating your information, please call UNAC/UHCP’s Member Action Resource Center (MARC) at 1-877-506-4554.
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.