Kaiser prepares for mental health worker strike

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Kaiser Permanente is preparing for a statewide strike by mental health workers.

Employees will walk the picket line starting Monday for at least a week.

Psychologists, therapists, and social workers represented by the National Union of Healthcare Workers are leading the strike.

They say Kaiser needs to hire more mental health workers because current staffing levels are putting patients at risk.

Meanwhile, Kaiser says it has improved services and accuses the union of using the strike as part of its negotiating strategy for a better contract.