Hundreds of pharmacy and laboratory workers walked off the job Monday in solidarity with nurses, citing staffing shortages and stalled contract negotiations.
About 500 San Diego pharmacy and laboratory workers represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers union walked out in solidarity with nurses and other health care professionals who were already on strike against Kaiser on February 9, 2026.
About 500 San Diego pharmacy and laboratory workers walked off the job Monday in solidarity with nurses and other health care professionals already on strike against Kaiser Permanente, according to the United Food and Commercial Workers local 135. They are calling for higher staffing levels and better pay. “It was difficult to walk out today,” said Erin Ellengard, a clinical lab scientist at Kaiser in La Mesa. “To say I’m not going to do my job today because we want to be able to provide good care to our patients.”“Whether it’s diagnosing a heart attack or a blood clot or anything like that, they need to be able to have access to those laboratory results,” Ellengard said. “And if we don’t have enough people working in the laboratory to do that, it’s hard on those of us that are there.”“We want the Kaiser executives to come to the table and bargain with us in good faith because they haven’t been,” Ellengard said. “We need them to show up.” In a statement, Kaiser Permanente said it was disappointed that union leaders chose to strike, knowing the potential impact on patient care. The hospital said it has contingency plans in place to maintain patient care, but some pharmacies would be closed and laboratory services may be delayed.Heidi de Marco is an award-winning photojournalist and health reporter who has focused her work on producing multimedia stories that help humanize the complex health and humanitarian issues impacting marginalized and vulnerable communities in the United States and abroad.Trump administration lauds plastic surgeons' statement on trans surgery for minorsU.S. ski star Lindsey Vonn is in 'stable condition' after crash in Olympic downhill KPBS keeps you informed with local stories you need to know about — with no paywall. Our news is free for everyone because people like you help fund it.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Kaiser strike grows as additional workers expected to walk out MondayOn Feb. 9, an additional 3,000 pharmacy and laboratory workers plan to join the strike.
Read more »
Additional union members to join Kaiser Strike MondayPharmacy and lab employees will join striking Kaiser Permanente nurses and other health care workers on the picket line in San Diego County Monday, the union…
Read more »
Kaiser Permanente Faces Escalating Labor Unrest as Pharmacy and Lab Employees StrikeThousands of healthcare workers, including pharmacy and lab employees, are escalating their strike against Kaiser Permanente due to alleged unfair labor practices and stalled contract negotiations. This action adds to the existing strike by thousands of nurses and healthcare professionals, impacting operations across the Southland region.
Read more »
Kaiser strike expands with 3,000 pharmacy, lab workers joining nursesPharmacy and lab workers with the United Food and Commercial Workers union in Southern California on Monday joined the third week of strikes against Kaiser Permanente on Monday.
Read more »
Kaiser Permanente pharmacy, lab workers in Southern California to join ongoing labor strikeThe company said hospitals and nearly all medical offices will remain open through these dual strikes, but some appointments may be shifted to virtual.
Read more »
PHARMACY FRAUD: Two Queens men charged in $120 million adult day care and pharmacy schemeA pair of scammers from Queens is facing federal charges for allegedly defrauding public health programs Medicaid and Medicare.
Read more »