National Bargaining Update: June 5, 2025

Economics on the Table

We are not waiting around. We are leading with determination and power.

On Monday, June 2, Alliance members of the Economics Subgroup—backed by the unity and strength of our 22 unions—delivered a bold and historic national compensation proposal to Kaiser Permanente management.

This proposal is more than numbers on a page: it’s a powerful and unapologetic statement of our worth. The package reflects the true cost of living, the real value we bring to KP’s success, and the future we are determined to build.

Later during the session, the full Common Issues Committee reached four tentative agreements related to retirement and pension benefits.

Read the FULL proposal.

Read about the Tentative Agreements from June 5.

For more information, visit:

Alliance of Health Care Unions: ahcunions.org/
Joint LMP Bargaining website: bargaining2025.org

 

Alliance Economic Proposal

01 / 05

National Bargaining Update: May 9, 2025

National Bargaining Kickoff Rally
President Charmaine S. Morales, RN
Executive Vice President Peter Sidhu, RN
UNAC/UHCP Secretary Liz Hawkins, RN
UNAC/UHCP Treasurer Moises Alarcon, RN, and Executive Director Joe Guzynski
Amy Tu, RN, observing National Bargaining

01 / 06

Kaiser National Bargaining Kicks Off With Unity And Momentum

This week marked the official kickoff of National Bargaining between Kaiser Permanente and the Alliance of Health Care Unions, covering 61,000 union members across the nation—including UNAC/UHCP. We represent nearly 35,000 Kaiser healthcare professionals throughout California and Hawaii.

Negotiations began with strong energy and solidarity.

We kicked off Alliance national bargaining in a way that felt exciting and grounded in understanding of one another, of our shared history, and of what’s at stake for our members and patients. We’re getting back to the roots of real partnership by sharing stories, listening with curiosity, and building the future together.

Charmaine S. Morales, RN
UNAC/UHCP President

On Monday, Alliance representatives on the Economic Subgroup met to begin early discussions. Later that day, Alliance members in Southern California rallied near Kaiser Permanente South Bay Medical Center, sending a clear message of unity and determination.

From Tuesday to Thursday, the Common Issues Committee (CIC), union and management negotiators throughout the Kaiser regions, convened for the first time, launching the work of three key committees, or subgroups:

• Partnership Effectiveness
• Artificial Intelligence and Technology
• Staffing and Patient Care

These first days of National Bargaining featured presentations from Alliance members, highlighting real stories and successes across different workplaces. A new approach allowed observers to participate in table discussions, fostering transparency and relationship-building.

While the first three days are devoted to learning the process, many Alliance members joined as observers.

I love the AI technology [subgroup] because we’re having the conversations early on making sure that we’re prepared for what’s to come. That’s the beauty of it: Involving our union to ensure whatever we’re practicing includes us from the start.

Amy Tu, RN
KWHRNA Hospital President and National Bargaining Observer

Visit MemberLink to join National Bargaining as an observer.

National Bargaining

Our talks with Kaiser is one of the largest healthcare collective bargaining negotiations in the United States this year. National Bargaining continues throughout the summer. Stay tuned and stay involved.

National vs. Local Bargaining

National Bargaining focuses on issues that affect all Alliance members across every region. These include:

  • Across-the-board wage increases
  • Health benefits equity (IVF, hearing aids, and retiree medical)
  • Pension protection
  • Staffing language and its enforcement
  • Partnership principles, job security
  • Educational funding (e.g., Ben Hudnall Trust)
  • Emerging topics such as AI and technology in healthcare

Local Bargaining is handled by each individual union and maybe tailored to the unique needs of each facility or bargaining unit to address more-detailed, job-specific concerns:

  • Job-specific wage scales and classifications
  • Seniority rules
  • Staffing ratios and department-specific workflows
  • Remote work policies
  • Any benefits or working conditions that vary by region or job title

Important Dates-National Bargaining 

  • May 6 – May 8: National kick-off
  • June 3 – June 5
  • July 15, July 17
  • August 5, August 7
  • August 19 – August 21

Who’s At the Table?

The Alliance of Health Care Unions’ (Alliance) National Bargaining Team includes Alliance staff and members from the 21 Alliance unions. This group is called Common Issues Committee (CIC).

UNAC/UHCP’s CIC Members

  • Charmaine Morales, RN, UNAC/UHCP President
  • Peter Sidhu, RN, UNAC/UHCPExecutive Vice-President
  • Elizabeth Hawkins, RN, UNAC/UHCP Secretary
  • Moises Alarcon, RN, UNAC/UHCP Treasurer
  • Joe Guzynski, UNAC/UHCP Executive Director
  • Debra Sung, PT, Representation Director
  • Vanessa Caballero, Representation Director
  • Brian Mason, Representation Director
  • Mandy Hartz, Representation Director
  • Erika Tapia, RN, Nursing Professional Practice Manager
  • Doug Wong, PA, KRRN-UHCP President
  • Marsha Vinson, OD, KPASCO President
  • Reyda Roxas, RN, SCNSC President
  • Kerin Asher Galloway, CNM, KPCSP President
  • Bianka Tulgar, PT, UTSC President
  • Stephenie Ellis, PharmD, UPSC President
  • Bert Kwok, PharmD, UPHI President
  • Matthew Piskura, PT, UTH President
  • Brian Nitta, PT, UTNC President
  • Linda Stuart, SLP, DASH President

Jane Carter, UNAC/UHCP Director of Research, Public Policy, and Regulatory Affairs, serves as a subject matter expert on the Economic and AI subgroups.

Important Issues
The National Bargaining Coordinating Committee approves CIC subgroups to dive deeper into the most pressing issues for our unions. The groups for 2025 are:

  • Economic Subgroup
  • Partnership Effectiveness Subgroup
  • AI and Technology Subgroup
  • Staffing and Patient Care Subgroup