A strike by 31,000 nurses and health care professionals at Kaiser Permanente entered its fourth week on Friday, as union leaders pointed to newly disclosed financial filings showing the nonprofit health system holds roughly $76 billion in reserves and reported $9.3 billion in profit in 2025.

The workers, represented by the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP), began the unfair labor practice strike earlier this month, alleging chronic short staffing, delays in patient care and stalled contract negotiations across Kaiser facilities in California and Hawaii.

Union officials argue the health system’s financial position undercuts its claims that additional investments in frontline staffing are financially constrained. “The issue is not Kaiser’s ability to invest in care delivery, but its willingness to prioritize recruitment, retention and safe staffing levels,” union leaders said in a statement.

Kaiser Permanente has said maintaining large reserves is necessary to protect its credit rating, fund capital projects and ensure long-term stability. The system has not indicated plans to draw down its reserves as part of ongoing contract talks.

The dispute has drawn attention from the California Labor Federation, which represents 2.3 million union members statewide. The federation has called for greater accountability, including the possibility of premium rebates, arguing that patients should not pay full costs if care standards tied to their coverage are not met.

Union members say conditions inside hospitals and clinics have worsened in recent years, with increased patient loads and longer wait times contributing to burnout among experienced staff. They contend that without enforceable staffing standards and stronger retention efforts, more caregivers will leave bedside roles, further straining the system.

Picketing is scheduled for Friday from 9 am to 1 pm. Picketing at multiple facilities across California, from 7 am to 11 am. Locations include Kaiser facilities in Roseville, Anaheim, Woodland Hills, Downey, West Los Angeles, Fontana and San Diego, as well as Moanalua Medical Center in Honolulu.

The strike is set to continue until a contract agreement is reached, according to union representatives. UNAC/UHCP represents more than 40,000 registered nurses and other health care professionals in California and Hawaii and is affiliated with the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.