Kaiser therapists ratify contract 1,799-24, ending the longest U.S. Healthcare strike
Issue
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.
Key points
- The strike ended May 8 with a 1,799-24 vote, more than six months after it began in October 2025.
- Mediated by Mark Ghaly MD + Darrell Steinberg at Newsom's request
- Therapists still earn about 50% less than Kaiser medical staff, Healthcare Dive reported, and pay pressure on health center hiring continues.
- Newsom-Ghaly mediation playbook now a model for other CA labor disputes
Sources for this story
Kaiser Permanente / NUHW / Healthcare DiveSources for your board packet
This story's source plus 4 related stories and their sources, ready to print for your team or board.
Free. Unlocking the packet subscribes you to Intel Brief and The Pulse. You'll also get a short welcome series and the occasional product update. You'll be subscribed right away, with no confirmation email. Unsubscribe with one click in any issue. If you unsubscribed before, we won't re-add you. We never sell your email. You can open each source above without an email.
Part of
- Healthcare labor and organizing
Contracts, strikes and unfair-labor-practice charges
FQHC Talent. (2026, May 8). Kaiser therapists ratify contract 1,799-24, ending the longest U.S. Healthcare strike. Source: Kaiser Permanente / NUHW / Healthcare Dive. Retrieved October 28, 2026, from https://www.fqhctalent.com/intel/kaiser-nuhw-mental-health-strike-resolved-may-8-2026
More in Labor & Unions
Oct 14
Labor judge orders a new Innercare union vote, denies bargaining order
Sep 28
LifeLong Medical Care providers hold a one-day strike over pay
Sep 18
California clinic association sues SEIU-UHW and Dave Regan under racketeering law
May 22
AFSCME 3299 reports 96.4% vote to ratify UC deal after strike canceled