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

More than 2,400 Kaiser Permanente psychologists, therapists, social workers and other mental health workers in Southern California began an open-ended strike Monday over increased workloads and staffing shortages that their union said have created a “substandard” system of care.

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