Kaiser, mental health workers avert strike
Source: Mercury News
By Sharon Noguchi
OAKLAND -- Kaiser Permanente and its mental health workers have reached a tentative contract settlement, averting a strike that had been planned to start Monday, the union announced late Sunday.
Health clinicians and Kaiser agreed on a tentative three-year contract overcoming two major sticking points, the union announced in an email. Former California State Senate leader Darrell Steinberg of Sacramento acted as a mediator in the talks.
The agreement, which still must be ratified by members, allows Kaiser psychologists, psychiatric social workers and marriage and family therapists to advocate for their patients and meet their treatment needs without threat of discipline or discharge, according to the union. The agreement also calls for a 1-to-4 ratio of new-to-return patients, which the union says would ensure timely access to ongoing care for Kaiser mental health patients.
In addition, according to the union, Kaiser has also agreed to rescind proposed cuts to pension benefits.
FULL story at link.
Read more: http://www.mercurynews.com/health/ci_29123006/kaiser-mental-health-workers-avert-strike