The Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions, which represents over 85,000 well being care employees in seven states and the District of Columbia, stated Saturday it had not but reached an settlement with the group, setting the stage for the opportunity of the biggest well being care strike in U.S. historical past late this week.

Hours earlier than employees’ contracts have been set to run out after 11:59 p.m. PT., the coalition stated it stays far aside from non-profit Kaiser Permanente on necessary points like across-the-board pay will increase, retiree medical plans and protections in opposition to subcontracting and outsourcing. 

“Kaiser continues to bargain in bad faith over these issues and, so far, there is no light at the end of the tunnel,” the coalition stated in an announcement on Saturday evening. 

The coalition’s nationwide bargaining team submitted a 10-day notice to Kaiser Permanente executives on Sept. 22, calling for strikes to start Wednesday at 6 a.m. if they don’t come to an settlement. 

Over 75,000 well being care employees throughout California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Virginia, and D.C. are anticipated to be concerned within the strikes, which might make it the biggest well being care employee strike in U.S. historical past. Hundreds of leaders have been lately skilled on the best way to run picket strains forward of the strike, which might final till 6 a.m. on Oct. 7, the coalition stated. 

Kaiser Permanente is the largest nonprofit health care provider within the U.S. It reported earnings topping $3 billion within the first six months of 2023.

In an announcement shared with The Hill, Kaiser stated it continues to “make progress on key issues,” and have reached tentative agreements with the coalition on journey for persevering with training, using momentary employees like touring nurses, monitoring of staffing vacancies and dispute decision. 

The non-profit famous contract expirations don’t essentially imply a strike will happen, and stated it’s “optimistic” they may attain an settlement forward of Wednesday.

Kaiser and the coalition final negotiated a contract in 2019, a 12 months earlier than well being care employees have been put onto the entrance strains of the pandemic and compelled to work via worsening circumstances. 

The coalition can also be asking Kaiser to handle employees considerations over unsafe staffing ranges.

In a May survey of 33,000 well being care employees by the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW), round two-thirds stated they witnessed delays in or denial of care resulting from understaffing.

Kaiser advised The Hill it has employed over 50,000 frontline staff within the final two years, together with over 9,800 employees represented by the coalition. In April, the non-profit stated it agreed with the coalition to a aim of hiring 10,000 new folks for coalition-represented jobs by the top of 2023. The non-profit stated it expects to succeed in that aim by the top of October. 

Regarding wages, the non-profit claims it “leads total compensation,” in each market they function in, and its proposals would guarantee it retains that standing. Kaiser stated its present provide to the coalition consists of across-the-board wage will increase and a proposed $21 minimal wage in Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Virginia, Maryland, D.C. and Hawaii began in 2024 and a $23 minimal wage beginning in 2024 in California. 

Operations at Kaiser are anticipated to proceed as regular on Sunday whatever the contracts’ standing and its hospitals and emergency rooms will stay open whatever the strike, Kaiser stated.

The non-profit additionally stated it has “contingency plans” to make sure sufferers can nonetheless obtain care at some point of the strike.

The Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions didn’t instantly reply to The Hill’s request for remark.