Contracts & Bargaining
CRNA Bargaining Team
Danny Bell, CRNA
Jeffrey Cathcart, CRNA
Karen Huff, CRNA
Sanne Jacobsen, CRNA
Christopher Sato, CRNA
Gregory Taylor, CRNA
UNAC/UHCP Bargaining Team
Brian Mason, Lead Negotiator
Erika Tapia, UNAC/UHCP Manager
George Doctorian, UNAC/UHCP Staff Representative
Also pictured: Kevin Smith, retired CRNA bargaining team member, UNAC/UHCP President Charmaine S. Morales, RN, and Ren Tamse, PT, UNAC/UHCP staff
Our bargaining team celebrating Kevin and his contributions. We thank Kevin deeply for his years of dedication and service.
We begin this update with the bittersweet news of Kevin Smith’s retirement from our bargaining team. Kevin, a CRNA from San Leandro, has been an essential part of our efforts, tirelessly advocating for his colleagues and significantly contributing to our progress at the bargaining table. While we are sad to see him go, we celebrate his well-earned retirement. Sanne Jacobsen, CRNA from Oakland, will now represent both Oakland and San Leandro moving forward. Please join us in wishing Kevin all the best in his retirement!
Bargaining this week
On April 29 and 30, we held bargaining sessions in San Jose. On Tuesday, April 29, we presented a package proposal that reflects our membership’s core priorities. Our proposals focus on protecting the hard-earned benefits of CRNAs and strengthening members’ voices through fair and transparent processes around scheduling, holidays, vacations, and other critical working conditions.
We also presented our initial economic proposals, crafted to ensure Kaiser remains a leader in recruiting and retaining CRNAs. These proposals align with our shared goal of making Kaiser Permanente the best place both to work and to receive care in Northern California.
On Wednesday, April 30, our bargaining team spent the day preparing additional items to bring forward in upcoming sessions, while management reviewed the extensive proposals we presented on Tuesday.
Bargaining Dates
Our next bargaining sessions are scheduled for May 20, 21, and 22 in San Jose. All CRNA members are welcome to attend as observers—your participation makes a difference!
Upcoming Bargaining Chat
Join us for the upcoming UNANC bargaining chat on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 07:30 PM. Please click the button below to register.
Yesterday, we met with the employer in San Jose to continue bargaining, and once again, they made it crystal clear: they’re not taking us seriously. Their counterproposal on Job Bidding/Posting? The exact same one they gave us on October 17, 2024. No movement. No respect for our demands.
Bargaining Dates
We proposed a set of dates to keep us on track at the table through August. Management has yet to respond.
A Day of Proposals
Seniority and Job Bidding and Posting: We went back and forth with management on Seniority and Job Bidding and Posting. Management has our latest set of counterproposals.
Bargaining Unit Work: We have a counter from management on Bargaining Unit Work.
A Proposal Withdrawn
Management also proposed changes to the Definitions of Employment Status section. But we had agreed to place this topic on hold due to its economic implications. Once management realized this, their negotiators promptly withdrew the new proposal.
Next Moves
Join us for our next bargaining session on April 9–10, 2025, in Sacramento.
Also, don’t miss our CRNA social on April 9, 2025, in Sacramento—details coming soon!
Yesterday, we met with the employer in San Jose to continue bargaining, and once again, they made it crystal clear: they’re not taking us seriously. Their counterproposal on Job Bidding/Posting? The exact same one they gave us on October 17, 2024. No movement. No respect for our demands.
In the afternoon, we took action. We delivered our 10- day notice for an informational picket on March 11 in Roseville. If the employer thinks they can keep stalling and disrespecting our profession, they’re in for a wake- up call.
In the afternoon, we gave the employer our counterproposal on Per Diem Availability and held discussions on their counter on Grievance and Arbitration. But make no mistake—without real movement from management, talk means nothing.
TIME TO TAKE ACTION!
Save the date and join us for the following events:
The employer isn’t listening—so we’re turning up the volume. This is our chance to send a clear message: We demand respect, and we won’t back down.
To download this bargaining update, click here.
Our UNANC bargaining team met with management yesterday, Thursday, February 13, in Oakland for another bargaining session. The morning began with a discussion regarding a personnel issue, and we are currently seeking more information from the employer.
In the afternoon, the employer presented revised counterproposals for Performance Evaluations and Per Diem Availability. The Per Diem Availability counterproposal was a complete rewrite, differing significantly from both their original proposal and our previous counter.
We are pleased to announce that we reached a tentative agreement on Performance Evaluations. The agreed-upon language guarantees that a fellow Anesthesia Provider will be involved in assessing a CRNA’s clinical skills. Please join us for our next bargaining session on February 27, 2025, in San Jose.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Save the date and join us for the following events:
To download this bargaining update, click here.
Our UNANC bargaining team met with Kaiser management in Oakland on Thursday, January 23 and in Sacramento on Tuesday, February 4 for contract negotiations. We were excited to have several CRNA colleagues join us in solidarity at each location. We appreciate your continued support as we work towards a contract that respects our profession.
During these sessions, we reached a TA on Work Week, which defines the work day, Pay period, work week – our fourth TA in total.
We’ve also submitted counterproposals for Seniority and Health & Safety, along with our initial proposal on Safe Patient Care and Medical Malpractice Insurance. Management has responded with a counterproposal on the Prohibition of Discrimination and a package supposal aimed at addressing multiple articles.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Save the date and join us for the following events:
To download this bargaining update, click here.
Our UNANC bargaining team met with Kaiser management for two days of negotiations on Tuesday, January 14 and Wednesday, January 15 in San Jose.
KEY BARGAINING UPDATES UNANC
STAY INFORMED AND ENGAGED
To stay informed about the latest bargaining developments and show your support, we encourage you to:
To download this bargaining update, click here.
Our UNANC bargaining team launched 2025 negotiations in Oakland today.
We began by countering the employer’s proposals on Probation and Prohibition of Discrimination. The employer then presented a counterproposal on New Employee Orientation.
Later, we presented our own counterproposal on New Employee Orientation, which resulted in a Tentative Agreement (TA). This brings our total to three TAs so far.
We also presented counterproposals and held discussions regarding Performance Evaluations and Work Week Definitions.
Our next bargaining sessions are scheduled for January 14 and 15 in San Jose. Please join us.
Your continued support is invaluable. Show your solidarity by attending bargaining sessions, wearing your union gear, and talking with your colleagues. Your actions directly contribute to our progress at the bargaining table.
To download this bargaining update, click here.
At our bargaining session on Wednesday, December 18, we were joined by 10 CRNAs – an impressive showing. Unfortunately, management delayed the start of bargaining to 1:30 PM.
When discussions finally began, Kaiser criticized our recent petition delivery, claiming it was unprofessional and violated partnership values. We countered that partnership is reciprocal, and their actions like unilateral implementation and bad faith bargaining are unacceptable as well as illegal. We emphasized that Kaiser hasn’t been bargaining in our best interest and challenged them to prove us wrong by engaging in meaningful negotiations.
We presented proposals on Probation and Per Diem Availability before Kaiser caucused. They then presented their initial Probation proposal, and we responded with a counterproposal on New Employee Orientation.
As this was our final session of the year, we want to provide an update on our progress:
Your unwavering support and solidarity throughout the year have been truly remarkable. We wish you a joyful holiday season and look forward to resuming bargaining in 2025.
To download this bargaining update, click here.
Today, Wednesday, December 11, our UNANC bargaining team met with Kaiser management to continue contract negotiations.
Our team began the session by presenting a proposal on Reduction in Force. We then delivered a powerful message: Kaiser Permanente must stop bargaining in bad faith.
With over 300 signatures from CRNA colleagues from across the NCAL region, our bargaining team delivered a petition to management demanding they stop bargaining in bad faith, particularly addressing the unfair treatment of our colleagues at San Leandro.
The day ended abruptly when management left the bargaining session while our team was presenting the petition and sharing comments from our colleagues.
Watch the petition delivery on the @CRNAunited Instagram account. You can also view the first page of the petition here.
We will continue to provide updates as negotiations progress. Please join us at the next bargaining session.
To download this bargaining update, click here.
On Wednesday, November 6, our UNANC-UNAC/UHCP bargaining team met again with Kaiser Permanente management to continue negotiations for our new contract.
We were joined by several of our CRNA colleagues namely from San Leandro and Vacaville, as well as Joe Guzynski, UNAC/UHCP Executive Director, and Peter Sidhu, UNAC/UHCP Executive Vice President.
The morning started with discussion with management on our previous proposals on New Employee Orientation (NEO) and Grievance and Arbitration.
Later, management outlined their definition of the work week in their Work Week Defined proposal. Our bargaining team then presented our proposal for Bargaining Unit Work, which aims to protect essential CRNA duties.
The bargaining team remains committed to securing a fair and equitable contract that addresses the needs and concerns of all NCAL CRNAs. We will continue to provide updates as negotiations progress.
To download this bargaining update, click here.
Yesterday, Wednesday, October 30, 2024, marked our one-year union anniversary! To celebrate this milestone, we spent the day in Sacramento bargaining with Kaiser leadership for our first contract.
Thirteen CRNAs from six different locations joined us. We began the day by addressing management’s questions about our proposal on recognition and coverage.
After lunch, we presented counter-proposals on grievance and arbitration, new employee orientation (NEO), and job bidding and postings. Additionally, we presented proposals on membership, notice of vacancies, and food and beverage vending. We engaged in productive discussions to clarify language in the job bidding proposal. Management also sent us a counter-proposal on just cause.
While we couldn’t cover all proposals, we’ll continue our work next week on Wednesday, Nov. 6 in Oakland.
Your ongoing support is invaluable. Please continue to show solidarity by attending bargaining sessions, wearing your union gear, and talking with your colleagues. Your actions help us make progress at the bargaining table.
To download this bargaining update, click here.
Our bargaining team met with management yesterday on October 17, 2024 to continue contract negotiations. We kicked off bargaining by formally filing an Unfair Labor Practice charge against Kaiser Permanente on grounds of bad faith bargaining, unilateral implementation, and unlawful direct dealing. This action underscores our commitment to protecting your rights and ensuring a fair bargaining process.
Later, we presented our counterproposals on Union Recognition and Just Cause and managment shared a counterproposal on Job Bidding and Posting. While the employer’s counterproposal was a step back from our previous discussions, we remain optimistic for finding common ground that will benefit our members.
YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS: Your continued solidarity and support play a vital role in strengthening our bargaining position. We encourage everyone to attend an upcoming bargaining session to witness firsthand how your involvement makes a difference.
To download this bargaining update, click here.
On Thursday, October 3, 2024, our team met with Kaiser Permanente in San Jose. Several CRNAs attended to observe the session. We presented a counterproposal on job bidding and posting and discussed our proposal on just cause and discipline. The employer responded with their own counterproposal on just cause and discipline.
We have made some progress at the bargaining table. However, just before the session ended, the employer introduced a proposal on employee status, outlining definitions for full-time, part-time, short-hour, and per diem positions. Within this proposal, they attempted to reclassify CRNAs as “non-exempt” employees without offering a clear explanation of their rationale or acknowledging the potential impact.
OUR STANCE: It is evident that the employer is reacting to the growing strength and unity within our group and is introducing proposals to potentially divide and weaken us. Our team made it clear to the employer that we would set this proposal aside until economic discussions begin, as we are fully aware of our membership’s position on this issue, informed by the results of our bargaining survey.
NEXT STEPS: We strongly encourage you to attend future bargaining sessions. Our team remains united and committed to securing the best contract for all CRNAs. We will continue to keep you updated on all developments.
To download this bargaining update, click here.
Our CRNA bargaining team met with Kaiser management on Thursday, September 26 in Oakland. Thank you to the several CRNAs that attended the session to observe the negotiations.
We continued discussions on Job Bidding and Job Posting. After nine bargaining sessions, KP finally made a concession on their proposal, incorporating feedback from CRNAs. While progress has been made, we continue to negotiate to reach a mutually agreeable agreement.
We presented a proposal on corrective action and just cause. KP also provided initial proposals on Seniority and Grievance and Arbitration.
BUILDING MOMENTUM
We hope to continue building momentum at the bargaining table. We encourage all CRNAs to attend future bargaining sessions to stay informed and show support for our team.
To download this bargaining update, click here.
UNANC at bargaining on September 19, 2024
Yesterday on Thursday, September 19, our CRNA bargaining team met with management in Sacramento at the Sheraton Grand Hotel for another intense bargaining session. Over 20 CRNAs were present to witness our negotiations firsthand.
Management once again failed to budge from their initial stance on their Union Representation proposal, offering a counterproposal that was as disappointing as their previous one. Their second proposal on Job Bidding also fell short of our expectations. We engaged in a lengthy discussion to address their shortcomings.
In the afternoon, we presented our counterproposal on Job Bidding, which we believe strikes a fair balance between the interests of CRNAs and management. Additionally, we submitted our counterproposal on Union Representation.
Later that day, we joined forces with the California Professional Firefighters in solidarity with the Unite HERE represented hotel workers. Together, we stood in support of their fight for a fair and just contract.
Next week, we’ll continue bargaining for our first contract in Oakland. We urge all CRNAs to attend an upcoming bargaining session and show your support.
To download this bargaining update, click here.
Our CRNA bargaining team met with Kaiser management on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 to continue negotiating our first contract with UNAC/UHCP. The session was attended by several CRNAs from Oakland who demonstrated their support for the team and their commitment to a strong contract.
We reached a Tentative Agreement (TA) on Conformity to Law and responded to three of management’s proposals:
Our team rejected these proposals, as they failed to acknowledge our interests in any way or demonstrate a willingness to compromise. Our proposals aim to balance these interests, while management has made zero movement to considered our interests beyond topics covered in the National Agreement with the Alliance of Labor Unions.
Despite management’s resistance, we remain committed to achieving the best possible contract for our CRNAs. Your support is invaluable as we continue to fight for fair wages, benefits, and working conditions. Please stay tuned for updates and consider attending one of our upcoming bargaining sessions.
To download this bargaining update, click here.
Our UNAC/UHCP CRNA bargaining team met with Kaiser Permanente management for the sixth time on Thursday, September 5, 2024 in San Jose to discuss the following topics:
While conversation continue on some issues, negotiations remain ongoing. Our team remains committed to a fair contract and the interest-based bargaining process, but management’s actions continue to prioritize their own interests at the expense of the rights of CRNAs. We’ll keep you informed of our progress.
To download this bargaining update, click here.
Our CRNA bargaining team met again with management in Oakland on Thursday, August 22, 2024, to continue negotiating our contract. While we made slow progress at the bargaining table by receiving counter proposal from management on certain topics, we remain deeply concerned about management’s insistence on imposing language from other contracts that are not relevant to our specific needs and bargaining priorities.
KEY PROPOSALS AND OUTCOMES:
FAIR AND EQUITABLE BARGAINING:
We want a fair contract that meets the specific needs of Northern California CRNAs. It’s unfair for management to insist on language while simultaneously dismissing our interests and disrespecting the interest-based bargaining process. We’ll continue to advocate for fairness, transparency, and respect in the bargaining process. We won’t accept language that’s irrelevant or harmful to our rights.
To download this bargaining update, click here.
Our CRNA bargaining team met with management again on Thursday, August 8, 2024, to continue negotiating our first UNAC/UHCP contract in Sacramento. We were joined by a strong showing of CRNAs who came out to demonstrate their support for the bargaining team and their commitment to achieving a strong contract.
The session began with discussion on prohibition of discrimination but was jointly decided to revisit the topic to provide time to review Kaiser’s code of conduct and National policies. We then moved on to the topic of performance evaluations, where we expressed our interest in establishing a just culture by removing performance evaluations from compensation.
We highlighted concerns about the inconsistent and unfair application of performance evaluations across different regions, with unachievable goals and metrics that CRNAs have no control over. Additionally, we emphasized the importance of separating the corrective action process from evaluations and addressed the issue of evaluations being conducted by managers who lack the necessary knowledge and expertise to assess CRNA performance.
Later in the meeting, we presented our counterproposal on the prohibition of discrimination and performance evaluation.
We appreciated the presence of our CRNA colleagues and stay tuned for more updates as negotiations progress. If you have not, follow us on Instagram at @crnasunited.
To download this bargaining update, click here.
Our CRNA bargaining team met with management again on Thursday, July 25, 2024, to continue negotiating our first UNAC/UHCP contract. We successfully secured a neutral meeting location at the Downtown Oakland Marriott. Moving forward, bargaining sessions will be held at various neutral locations across Northern California to ensure easy access for all members.
We reached a tentative agreement (TA) on:
We had in-depth discussions on non-discrimination and shared multiple proposals to safeguard against discrimination and ensure recourse. Management also shared proposals at the end of bargaining on Conformity to Law, Probation, Union Representation, Recognition and Coverage, and Performance Evaluations, but there was no discussion. Our team will review these proposals and will prepare for discussion at the next bargaining session.
The continued support and solidarity shown by our members through photos wearing UNAC/UHCP gear demonstrate our strength and voice, which are essential during this bargaining process. Please keep up the momentum!
There’s still time to join the Contract Action Team (CAT) and get more involved. Stay informed and share bargaining updates with your colleagues. Your participation can make a big difference in our negotiations. Sign up at unacuhcp.org/CRNA-CAT.
Follow us on Instagram at @crnasunited. Stay tuned for more updates!
To download this bargaining update, click here.
Our CRNA bargaining team met with management on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, to begin negotiating our first UNAC/UHCP contract. We started the day discussing ground rules for bargaining going forward, including meeting logistics such as meeting cadence and location.
Our team expressed our interest in discussing Courtesy and No Discrimination. After numerous conversations, we presented a proposal to management on Courtesy, outlining a mutual commitment to the respectful treatment of CRNAs, management, and physicians.
During these discussions, our bargaining team made our intentions clear: we are committed to advocating for a strong contract that respects the profession, service, and value that our CRNA colleagues bring to the Kaiser Permanente system.
We appreciate the continued support and solidarity shown by our members through the photos wearing UNAC/UHCP gear. These collective actions reveal our strength and voice, which will be essential during this bargaining process. Please keep up the momentum!
Lastly, please visit crnasunited.com to read our monthly blog post. This is our story from the unique perspective of your bargaining team members. We believe every voice matters, so each member will contribute. You can also follow us on Instagram at @crnasunited. Stay tuned for more updates!
To download this bargaining update, click here.
We kicked off bargaining this month on Thursday, May 9, 2024, to begin negotiating our contract as UNAC/UHCP. Our bargaining team started with a training on bargaining best practices.
Later, we met with Kaiser management for a joint training on interest-based negotiations with the intention of working collaboratively to address concerns at the bargaining table, reflecting the foundations of our labor-management partnership.
As a reminder, here are our bargaining team members by area:
Lastly, please stay tuned for our future bargaining dates. Keep in touch with your Contract Action Team (CAT) if you have any questions.
To download this bargaining update, click here.
