BAKERSFIELD, CA - Bakersfield resident Cheryl Long received a message on her cell phone Tuesday stating that all Kaiser Permanente pharmacies may be closed starting May 19.
"Inconvenience us because our medications come in at different times," said Long.
The Guild for Professional Pharmacists sent an e-mail stating an intent to strike with Kaiser, southern California over failed contract negotiations.
Kaiser and the Guild have been in 19 bargaining sessions.
"We haven't made any progress in our three primary issues which are patient safety and workload. Primarily pension that was taken away from us in 2011. Part-time and premium employees, we're trying to get some guarantee hours. That way they can maintain their health insurance benefits," said President of the Guild, Robin Borden.
Kaiser officials released this statement Wednesday afternoon.
"We believe the bargaining table is the best place to resolve differences and address the interests we both share. With the good faith involvement of all concerned, we are optimistic that we will continue to make progress toward a contract agreement."
All southern California Kaiser pharmacies, including the six in Bakersfield, would be affected by the strike.
"There is currently over 1,400 southern California Kaiser pharmacists," said Borden.
That includes 24 pharmacists in Bakersfield.
Borden says Kaiser must have an agreement with outside pharmacy chains like Walgreens to honor prescriptions for Kaiser members to get whatever medication they need.
Kaiser officials say members can also fill up through mail.
Borden says if Kaiser and the Guild can't come to an agreement by this week, the strike will go on indefinitely.
"Inconvenience us because our medications come in at different times," said Long.
The Guild for Professional Pharmacists sent an e-mail stating an intent to strike with Kaiser, southern California over failed contract negotiations.
Kaiser and the Guild have been in 19 bargaining sessions.
"We haven't made any progress in our three primary issues which are patient safety and workload. Primarily pension that was taken away from us in 2011. Part-time and premium employees, we're trying to get some guarantee hours. That way they can maintain their health insurance benefits," said President of the Guild, Robin Borden.
Kaiser officials released this statement Wednesday afternoon.
"We believe the bargaining table is the best place to resolve differences and address the interests we both share. With the good faith involvement of all concerned, we are optimistic that we will continue to make progress toward a contract agreement."
All southern California Kaiser pharmacies, including the six in Bakersfield, would be affected by the strike.
"There is currently over 1,400 southern California Kaiser pharmacists," said Borden.
That includes 24 pharmacists in Bakersfield.
Borden says Kaiser must have an agreement with outside pharmacy chains like Walgreens to honor prescriptions for Kaiser members to get whatever medication they need.
Kaiser officials say members can also fill up through mail.
Borden says if Kaiser and the Guild can't come to an agreement by this week, the strike will go on indefinitely.
