The union says there is a “broken” system of care at Kaiser, while management claims the union has been “slow walking” the negotiation process.

Thousands of mental health workers at Kaiser Permanente facilities spanning across Southern California went on strike on Monday, calling for increased pay and restored pension plans, amid other demands.

The National Union of Healthcare Workers said that nearly 2,400 mental health workers had launched the job action after Kaiser Permanente management turned down their proposals.

More than 2,000 unionized mental health workers in Southern California went on strike against Kaiser Permanente on Monday after the two sides failed to reach a new labor agreement.

Nearly 2,400 mental health workers at Kaiser Permanente facilities went on strike Monday amid contract talks and allegations of a “broken” system of care, while Kaiser officials say the union has been “slow walking” the negotiation process and planned to strike before labor talks even began.

Smaller demonstrations were also scheduled for Kaiser properties in Fontana and Anaheim, and a rolling two-week roster of locations shows that pickets organized by the National Union of Healthcare Workers will hopscotch through the southland,