John August Kaiser

As the past executive director of the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions and co-lead of its National Labor Management Partnership, John August spearheaded a number of changes and developments to strengthen labor-management relations. He stands out as a key player in the implementation of Kaiser's 2005 National Agreement, which set in motion the most complete effort in industry history to improve labor-management cooperation. In keeping with the Agreement's mandates, John August played a central role in the establishment of nearly 4,000 Unit-Based Teams across all Kaiser Permanente work groups

Since the passing of the Affordable Care Act, John August has played a pivotal role in creating dialogue between employers and employees in the health care industry. As the leader of the coalition’s national bargaining, with responsibility for negotiating contracts on three occasions, he led bargaining strategy for employees and assisted in the development of the Total Health strategy. He has also offered advisory services to a number of non-Kaiser health systems and unions, including the County of Los Angeles and Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 721 as well as the League of Voluntary Hospitals and SEIU 11999. An invited speaker at a number of conventions and meetings of such organizations as the National Community Benefit Forum, he now facilitates union bargaining processes as an associate director with Cornell University.