When Americans think of a labor strike, they often envision one that continues until there is a deal, perhaps weeks or months later. But the Kaiser Permanente strike in early October in California — the largest health care strike in U.S. history — lasted just three days and led to a tentative agreement about a week later.

The cost of that three-day strike, combined with the threat of another larger strike in November, led Kaiser to settle with the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions.

It’s becoming more common for U.S. unions, especially in the health care sector, to call a short, fixed-duration strike and then return to the bargaining table. So far in 2023, 196 strikes lasted a week or less, an 86% increase in short strikes over the same period in 2021, according to the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations’ work stoppage database. By contrast, fewer than 100 strikes have lasted more than a week this year, a more modest 20% increase from 2021.

“Sometimes the shock of the short strike produces the movement at the table,” said John Borsos, a labor strategist and former labor professor. “Especially when you look at some of the larger employers.”

CNN, Oct. 15