Kaiser Permanente Strike Ends: 31,000 Workers Win 21.5% Raise After Largest Nurses Strike in History
The 30-day Kaiser Permanente strike — the largest open-ended nurses strike in U.S. history — ended February 24 with a tentative agreement including 21.5% wage increases over 4 years. The 31,000 UNAC/UHCP nurses and healthcare professionals in California and Hawaii struck over staffing ratios, wage parity, and patient safety.
The strike directly suppressed the February BLS jobs report, contributing to a -28,000 healthcare employment decline. The settlement sets a new compensation benchmark for California healthcare workers.
Key takeaways
- 30-day strike ended Feb 24 with 21.5% wage increase over 4 years
- 31,000 UNAC/UHCP nurses and healthcare professionals in California and Hawaii participated
- Strike issues: staffing ratios, wage parity, and patient safety
- Settlement sets new compensation benchmark for all California healthcare workers
Primary source
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FQHC Talent. (2026, February 24). Kaiser Permanente Strike Ends: 31,000 Workers Win 21.5% Raise After Largest Nurses Strike in History. Primary source: Nurse.Org. Retrieved July 28, 2026, from https://www.fqhctalent.com/intel/kaiser-strike-ends-21pct-raise
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