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Rules Committee urges Kaiser Permanente not to outsource San Francisco positions
Summary
The Rules Committee voted to forward a resolution urging Kaiser Permanente to halt plans to outsource at least 16 San Francisco positions and hundreds statewide, after union representatives and affected workers described lost wages and benefits.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors Rules Committee on Sept. 19 voted to forward a resolution asking Kaiser Permanente to protect local messenger drivers, parking attendants, licensed vocational nurses and department secretaries from outsourcing.
Sponsor Supervisor Norman Yee told the committee that Kaiser has notified San Francisco sites it intends to eliminate 16 positions and that the company’s statewide outsourcing plans could affect more than 800–1,000 represented SEIU jobs. “I ask you to join me in urging Kaiser to protect these 16 positions in San Francisco and the over 800 positions statewide,” Yee said in opening remarks.
The measure drew public testimony from union representatives and affected workers. Alan Wong of SEIU United Healthcare Workers told the committee the number of at‑risk jobs has grown beyond earlier reports and that Kaiser has proposed replacing in‑house parking and shuttle services with contracted rideshare services. Gardner Clifford Pfeiffer described receiving a last‑minute notice that his position would be outsourced and said the change would harm his family. SEIU shop steward Erica Bodie, a 37‑year Kaiser worker, cited the company’s reported profits and reserves while urging the city to push back on the company’s plan.
Supervisor Catherine Stefani said she was not comfortable with the plan Kaiser outlined and asked to be added as a cosponsor, stating that one year of transitional income security would be insufficient to guarantee equivalent pay and benefits from new vendors. Committee members pointed to similar resolutions passed by other Bay Area jurisdictions and argued San Francisco should send a strong message to the health system.
Supervisor Norman Yee moved to forward the resolution to the full Board of Supervisors with a positive recommendation; the motion passed without objection. The item will appear on the Board agenda on Sept. 25 for final action.
The committee record notes supporters urged Kaiser to retain existing staff and to negotiate with unions; Kaiser’s response was not recorded during the committee hearing.
