Jane Dotson
In 2023, Kaiser Permanente recognised Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a paid holiday for all employees for the first time. This came after a long-running dispute between the company and its employees, with many workers striking in protest of the company's refusal to observe the holiday. While Kaiser Permanente's urgent care centres remain open on holidays, most of its medical offices were closed on January 16, 2023, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Kaiser Permanente medical offices open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day | No, most offices were closed on January 16, 2023 |
| Kaiser Permanente urgent care centers open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Yes |
| Kaiser Permanente recognizing Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a paid holiday | Yes, for the first time in 2023 |
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What You'll Learn
- Kaiser Permanente medical offices closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- /7 virtual care options available on holidays
- Kaiser Permanente workers strike on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Kaiser Permanente's refusal to honour Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a paid holiday
- Kaiser Permanente's annual MLK Week of Service
Kaiser Permanente medical offices closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Kaiser Permanente, one of the largest non-profit healthcare plans in the US, has historically refused to recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a paid holiday for its employees. This has been a source of contention for many of its workers, particularly those in the mental health profession, who have long requested the holiday to commemorate Dr. King's legacy and his work in desegregating hospitals.
In 2022, Kaiser Permanente faced backlash for reneging on its earlier promise to make MLK Day a paid holiday for its employees. This prompted a one-day strike by psychologists, social workers, and therapists at its Oakland and Richmond, California clinics. The strike highlighted the issue of structural racism within the organization and the need for culturally competent care. As a result, Kaiser Permanente finally agreed to recognize MLK Day as a paid holiday for all employees starting in 2023.
On January 16, 2023, most Kaiser Permanente medical offices were closed as the organization observed the holiday. However, the company ensured that members still had access to the care they needed through various means, including 24/7 phone and video consultations with doctors, online self-care advice, and urgent care centers in some locations.
While the closure of medical offices on MLK Day represented progress in Kaiser Permanente's commitment to equity and social justice, there is still ongoing dialogue and action around addressing structural racism and cultural responsiveness within the organization.
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24/7 virtual care options available on holidays
Kaiser Permanente medical offices are usually closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but the organization offers 24/7 virtual care options on holidays. On holidays, you can still access urgent care services at select locations, including Capitol Hill, Bellevue, and Tacoma, which are open 24/7. Additionally, you can receive 24/7 care by phone or video, connecting with doctors and clinicians without an appointment.
Kaiser Permanente provides a dedicated phone line, 1-800-777-7904 (TTY 711), where you can speak to licensed medical professionals anytime for medical advice. They also offer an online platform and a mobile app, kp.org/getcare, where you can answer questions and interact with clinicians to receive a care plan.
Other organizations, such as MinuteClinic Virtual Care and One Medical, also offer 24/7 virtual care options on holidays. MinuteClinic Virtual Care provides licensed providers and therapists who can address various health concerns, including common illnesses, chronic conditions, and mental health issues. They accept various payment methods, including insurance, and offer convenient access through computers, phones, or tablets. One Medical offers similar virtual care services, including video chat appointments and messaging with providers for non-urgent needs through their mobile app.
These options ensure that individuals can access the care they need even during holidays when physical offices may be closed. It is important to note that virtual care should not be used for medical emergencies, and in such cases, immediate medical assistance should be sought.
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Kaiser Permanente workers strike on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
On Monday, January 17, 2022, Kaiser Permanente workers held a strike to protest the company's failure to honour Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a paid holiday for all employees. The strike involved psychologists, social workers, therapists, and other healthcare workers employed at Kaiser's Oakland and Richmond, California clinics. The workers felt that Kaiser's refusal to recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a paid holiday was disrespectful and dishonoured the memory and legacy of Dr King.
Kaiser Permanente, one of the largest non-profit healthcare providers in the United States, had previously agreed to make the day a paid holiday for mental health clinicians in Northern California in 2022. However, they later backtracked on this commitment, citing ongoing negotiations and meetings with other unions as the reason for the delay. This decision sparked outrage among the workers, who felt that Kaiser was not doing enough to address structural racism within the organization and provide culturally competent care to its patients.
The strike began with a picket line outside Kaiser's Oakland Medical Center at 8 a.m., followed by a march to Kaiser's corporate headquarters in Downtown Oakland for a noontime rally. The National Union of Healthcare Workers, representing the striking employees, criticized Kaiser's focus on profits over adequate mental health care and the lack of support for its Black and Brown therapists and patients. The union also highlighted the high percentage of non-white workers experiencing racism on the job and the need for more clinicians of colour to provide culturally sensitive care.
Despite the strike, Kaiser Permanente urgent care centres remained open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and virtual care options were also available to patients. However, most Kaiser Permanente medical offices were closed for the holiday.
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Kaiser Permanente's refusal to honour Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a paid holiday
For years, Kaiser Permanente refused to honour Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a paid holiday for its employees, despite repeated requests from its healthcare workers. In 2021, Kaiser Permanente's management promised its workers a paid holiday on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2022. However, in December of that year, the management reneged on their promise, sparking outrage among employees.
In response to Kaiser's refusal to honour Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a paid holiday, the National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW) organised a strike on that day in 2022. Psychologists, social workers, and therapists employed at Kaiser's Oakland and Richmond, California clinics participated in the strike, picketing outside Kaiser's Oakland Medical Center and marching to the company's corporate headquarters in Downtown Oakland. The strike sent a powerful message about the importance of recognising Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a paid holiday, particularly for Black employees and patients.
Kaiser Permanente's refusal to honour the day as a paid holiday was seen as a form of structural racism within the organisation. Black therapists and patients felt that Kaiser was not doing enough to confront and address these issues. The company's failure to properly fund and support mental healthcare for the Black and Brown community was highlighted as a particular area of concern.
In the wake of the strike, Kaiser Permanente finally agreed to make Martin Luther King Jr. Day a paid holiday for all employees starting in 2023. This decision was announced by Yvette Radford, Kaiser Permanente Northern California vice president of External and Community Affairs, who emphasised the company's commitment to advancing equity and supporting social justice.
While the decision to recognise Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a paid holiday is a step forward, it is important to note that Kaiser Permanente's handling of this holiday has historically been problematic. Previously, employees who wanted to take the day off were required to spend it doing community service, a condition that was not imposed on other holidays. This condition was perceived as a slap in the face to Black providers and a dismissal of the importance of the day.
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Kaiser Permanente's annual MLK Week of Service
While most Kaiser Permanente medical offices remain closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the organization has honored the day with a paid holiday for its employees and a week of community service opportunities.
In Southern California, Kaiser Permanente volunteers rolled up their sleeves for the 15th Annual MLK Day of Service, making a difference through dozens of projects. They cleaned school campuses, offered health education in under-resourced communities, gathered supplies for the homeless, and even partnered with the Jacobs and Cushman San Diego Food Bank to provide meals for hungry students and seniors.
Despite some controversy surrounding Kaiser Permanente's decision to not make MLK Day a paid holiday for all healthcare workers, the organization has taken steps towards recognizing the day's significance. This includes the first-time observance of MLK Day as a scheduled, paid holiday for employees and physicians in 2023.
Kaiser Permanente's MLK Week of Service is a powerful way to honor the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and put into practice his commitment to community service and social justice. Through these service opportunities, Kaiser Permanente is making a positive impact in communities across the country.
