Kaiser Pharmacists Picket in Hollywood

Pharmacists working for Kaiser Permanente picketed outside its Sunset Boulevard facility in Hollywood today.

“Our committee and Kaiser are currently revising the contract that determines wages, benefits, and retirement but have unfortunately made little to no progress,” said Tony Delgado of the Guild for Professional Pharmacists, based in Woodland Hills.

Delgado described Kaiser as unwilling to agree to “any kind of fair compensation for its pharmacy workers.” He said the healthcare provider would prefer to cut benefits.

Spokeswoman Socorro Serrano acknowledged Kaiser is in contract talks with its Southern California pharmacists. During this time, all Kaiser facilities are open and offering healthcare services for all appointments.

“Our first priority is always the safety and care of our members and patients.”

Delgado said if the pharmacists don’t see a satisfactory agreement, they will go on strike.

“That would not only affects Kaiser and pharmacists but most importantly patients requiring medication and prescriptions,” he said.

About the pre-strike pickets, Serrano said: “While we recognize the Guild’s legal right to carry out such actions, we believe the bargaining table is the best place to resolve differences and address the interests we both share.”