Work Reform

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A place to discuss positive changes that can make work more equitable, and to vent about current practices. We are NOT against work; we just want the fruits of our labor to be recognized better.

Our Philosophies:

All workers must be paid a living wage for their labor.
Income inequality is the main cause of lower living standards.
Workers must join together and fight back for what is rightfully theirs.
We must not be divided and conquered. Workers gain the most when they focus on unifying issues.

Our Goals

Higher wages for underpaid workers.
Better worker representation, including but not limited to unions.
Better and fewer working hours.
Stimulating a massive wave of worker organizing in the United States and beyond.
Organizing and supporting political causes and campaigns that put workers first.

founded 1 year ago

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A contract for 75,000 Kaiser Permanente workers expired. Historic US health care strike could start Wednesday (edition.cnn.com)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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A coalition of eight unions representing 75,000 employees of Kaiser Permanente said late Saturday that is has not reached an agreement with the company, setting the stage for the largest healthcare strike in US history on Wednesday.

The Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions, which has workers at hundreds of hospitals and medical offices in California, Oregon, Colorado, Virginia, Washington and Washington, D.C., said in a statement that it remains far apart with the company on important issues but still has had “good discussions with Kaiser.” The healthcare workers are seeking across-the-board pay raises and improvements to their pension plans, as well as protections against outsourcing.

The coalition’s contract with Kaiser officially expired after 11:59 pm PT on Saturday night.

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The HMO format of insurance is not uncommon, but Kaiser does have a somewhat unique implementation of it. Most HMO insurances contract with healthcare providers (network) and you are only allowed to go to them. Kaiser is not the healthcare provider but it is a consortium with the medical groups, hospitals, and insurance, such that they appear as one big entity. This can create conflicts of interest, but it also creates some huge efficiencies. Everyone from GPs to specialists to pharmacy is all in the same system, so there are not issues with communication between different companies and hospitals. The also have more incentive than most insurance companies to keep you healthy to prevent you from using the more expensive types of care. In my experience, for the same premiums, KP tends to have the lowest out of pocket max and no/low deductibles compared to PPOs like Cigna or Blue Cross/Shield.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The main downside being that if Kaiser doesn't have a specialist or even PCP openings in your area, you are basically told to get fucked.