Labor & Unions

Labor judge orders a new Innercare union vote, denies bargaining order

On October 14, 2026, an NLRB administrative law judge found that Innercare broke federal labor law during the 2024 SEIU-UHW drive, including a demotion and coercive questioning. The judge set aside the July 2024 vote and ordered a new election. The judge denied the union's request for a bargaining order. The case now goes to the Board.

LifeLong Medical Care providers hold a one-day strike over pay

Doctors, nurse practitioners and therapists at LifeLong Medical Care, an East Bay health center, held a one-day strike on September 28, 2026, as Berkeleyside reported. LifeLong offered a 6.38% raise over three years, while the Union of American Physicians and Dentists sought a double-digit raise. Other Bay Area health centers may face similar pay and workload demands.

California clinic association sues SEIU-UHW and Dave Regan under racketeering law

The California Primary Care Association and five clinics sued SEIU-UHW and its president, Dave Regan, in federal court on September 18, 2026, as the Los Angeles Times reported. The racketeering suit says the union offered to drop Proposition 44 if clinics backed union elections for 25,000 workers. Regan has denied that trade, and voters decide Proposition 44 on November 3.

AFSCME 3299 reports 96.4% vote to ratify UC deal after strike canceled

On May 13, AFSCME Local 3299 called off its planned May 14 UC strike after a tentative agreement, and on May 22 it reported 96.4% ratification. The union's published terms include a $1,500 lump sum for eligible career workers, scheduled raises, and caps on health premiums. These are union-reported terms for UC units only.

Kaiser therapists ratify contract 1,799-24, ending the longest U.S. healthcare strike

Kaiser's NUHW therapists ratified a new contract 1,799-24 on May 8, 2026, ending a strike that began in October 2025 and reached the Central Valley. Mark Ghaly and former Sacramento mayor Darrell Steinberg mediated the deal, which adds raises and a pension. Health centers hiring therapists in the Bay Area and Southern California now have a known pay benchmark.

SEIU 1021 plans May 13 rally against San Francisco clinic closures

SEIU 1021 announced on May 6, 2026 a worker and community rally set for May 13 at the SE Mission Geriatric Clinic in San Francisco. The rally opposes the closure of the Cole, Larkin and Mission Geriatric clinics, and all CCSF union members are invited. Nearby health centers may see more patients from the Mission, Tenderloin and Inner Sunset.

Clinic employers sue to block SEIU-UHW's 90% measure from the ballot

The California Hospital Association and a clinic employer coalition sued on May 4, 2026 to keep SEIU-UHW's Initiative #25-0008 off the November 3 ballot, Sacramento News & Review reported. The measure, backed by 1 million+ signatures, would require clinics to spend 90% of revenue on patient care and cap executive pay. An injunction hearing was expected by about June 15.

Kaiser mental health therapists ratify deal, ending 196-day NUHW strike

Kaiser mental health therapists in NUHW ratified a deal in late April 2026, ending a 196-day strike that began in September 2025, the longest mental health worker strike in U.S. history. About 2,400 therapists returned with a restored defined-benefit pension and raises. Health centers in the Bay Area, LA, and Sacramento may face higher pay expectations for LCSWs and AMFTs.

Kaiser lays off 42 nurses at San Rafael and Petaluma clinics

Kaiser Permanente announced on April 29, 2026, that it will lay off 42 nurses at its San Rafael and Petaluma outpatient clinics, KRON4 reported. It is also cutting 38 business-function jobs statewide. Petaluma Health Center and Marin Community Clinics can track Kaiser referrals over the next 60 days and plan more chronic disease visits.

NUHW ratifies contracts at five Providence hospitals in Northern California

NUHW announced in April 2026 that workers at five Northern California Providence hospitals ratified contracts with raises and lower health premiums. With the Kaiser deal that week and SB 525's $22 minimum wage on July 1, 2026, the pay bar rises for nurses and behavioral health staff. Bay Area health centers should review pay bands.

Unions rally at SF General against city health department cuts

SEIU 1021 and IFPTE 21 rallied at San Francisco General on April 15, 2026, calling the health department's budget cuts union-busting layoffs, as Indybay reported. The protest targets the $40 million second round of cuts. Five health centers in our directory, including HealthRIGHT 360, have SEIU 1021 members, so watch for joint actions.

Union says FHCSD fired a physician during medical leave in retaliation

UAPD/AFSCME said in April 2026 that Family Health Centers of San Diego fired Dr. Raquel Cornejo Pina, a physician there for seven years, while she was on protected medical leave, in retaliation for raising staffing concerns and backing a union. About 1,000 patients lose their primary care doctor. FHCSD denies retaliation. An earlier NLRB case (21-CA-377502) was filed December 2025.

Kaiser mental health workers start a five-day hunger strike

NUHW mental health clinicians at Kaiser Permanente began a five-day hunger strike on April 7, 2026, after the April 3 bargaining session ended without a deal. The next milestone was April 30. Health centers hiring behavioral health clinicians may see more applicants while the dispute lasts.