Healthcare workers across California and Hawaii are continuing to walk off the job at Kaiser Permanente medical centers, labs and pharmacies, including at two locations in Orange County, to demand increased staffing and wages.

They’re being joined by more workers today.

While registered nurses and other healthcare workers represented by the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP) enter their third week of strike to demand better pay and staffing levels, more employees are joining picket lines.

The approximately 31,000 members on strike include registered nurses, pharmacists, midwives, physician assistants, rehab therapists, speech language pathologists and other specialty health care professionals. Workers are striking at Kaiser hospitals and clinics across California and Hawaii, including Anaheim Medical Center and Irvine Medical Center.

[Read: Orange County Healthcare Workers Again Strike For Higher Pay, More Staffing]

United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 770, representing Kaiser Permanente pharmacy employees, joined picket lines this morning at selection locations in Los Angeles and Bakersfield.

That includes another 3,000 pharmacy and lab workers.

“Our message to Kaiser is clear: we will not be silenced,” Zhayne Serang, a Clinical Laboratory Scientist at the Anaheim Medical Center, said in a Jan. 29 statement. “After repeated unfair labor practices, KP lab employees are ULP striking because Kaiser has continually refused to bargain in good faith. They need to stop delaying, stop focusing on union-busting tactics meant to divide us, and get back to negotiating a fair contract.” 

The strike is expected to continue “until a fair contract is reached,” according to a news release from UNAC/UHCP leaders.

“Despite what they may say publicly, Kaiser has not reached out to us to bargain,” Stacy Eldridge, a registered Dietitian at Kaiser in Bakersfield and a member of the UNAC/UHCP bargaining team, said in a Friday statement. “We haven’t been to the table this week; we haven’t been to the table since December last year.”

“I would much rather be inside helping our patients, and I’m worried about how long they are waiting for care now,” she continued. “If Kaiser has any concern for our patients and community and wants to get this done, they can. It’s a choice. We are ready and have been waiting.”

Kaiser representatives say they’re committed to their nurses, employees and patients as the strikes continue. They also claim employees are well-paid.

“We respect our nurses and employees and appreciate all they do every day to care for our members and patients,” Camille Applin-Jones, senior vice president for Kaiser Permanente Southern California, said in a Jan. 30 statement. 

“They deserve a fair contract that recognizes their value,” she said. “Today, Kaiser Permanente nurses are among the best-paid caregivers in the country, and in every market, we offer pay and benefits that meet or exceed those of other health care organizations.”

[Read: Orange County Healthcare Workers Strike For Second Week]

Hospitals are expected to remain open during the strikes, while some pharmacies and labs could close temporarily. Some non-urgent appointments may be rescheduled or shifted to virtual care, according to Kaiser representatives. 

Angelina Hicks is the Voice of OC Collegiate News Service Editor. Contact her at ahicks@voiceofoc.org or on Twitter @angelinahicks13.