31,000 union nurses and professionals in California and Hawaii resume duties after four-week walkout; talks continue on staffing and pay
Thirty-one thousand Kaiser Permanente nurses, pharmacists and other professionals in California and Hawaii ended a four-week strike and returned to work on February 25. Both sides agreed to across-the-board wage increases of 21.5% over the next four years, while negotiations continue on new contracts. The United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals said members are back on the job as bargaining teams work to close remaining gaps, and cited gains tied to safe staffing, recruitment and retention. Kaiser Permanente said acceptance of its wage offer moves the parties closer to a contract.
In the United Kingdom, teachers and support staff at the Duke of Lancaster in Fakenham, Norfolk are striking, alleging reports of assaults have not been taken seriously; the National Education Union says basic health and safety needs are unmet, while operator Eastern Education Group says it has strengthened safeguarding and training since taking over in 2024. In Canada, about 40 Ville de Kirkland outside workers represented by CUPE 301 plan a 48-hour strike from March 4 to 5 over scheduling, wages and work-life balance after more than two years without a contract.