Amid Contract Talks, Kaiser Workers in Oregon and Beyond Approve Potential Strike

['Andrew Schwartz', 'Aschwartz Wweek.Com', "Andrew Schwartz Writes About Health Care. He'S Spent Years Reporting On Political", 'Spiritual Movements', 'Most Recently Covering Religion', 'Immigration For The Chattanooga Times Free Press', 'Before This As A Freelancer Covering Labor', 'Public Policy For Various Magazines. He Began His Career At The Walla Walla Union-Bulletin.', 'September'] Willamette Week 2025-09-23 00:00:00

It says the turnover rate of its workers represented by the Alliance of Health Care Unions is 8%, far less than the industry average. OFNHP is part of the Alliance of Health Care Unions. Unions tied to the group, representing around 46,000 Kaiser workers around the U.S., have voted to authorize strikes. In Northwest states like Oregon, Kaiser says it is offering a $22 per hour minimum rate—which it says would be the first step in all wage scales, meaning many workers would make considerably more. At the Portland Metro Chamber earlier this month, Kaiser Health Northwest chief Dr. Wendy Watson cited an array forces at play.