Thousands of union nurses and healthcare professionals braved a strong Pacific storm Tuesday that dropped heavy rain across Southern California as angry picketers armed with bullhorns and raincoats for protection began a five-day strike at Kaiser Permanente facilities across three states.

At the Kaiser Medical Center in Ontario, more than 600 people were on the picket line along Vineyard Avenue. Many of the picketers complained about replacements brought into the healthcare company to fill their jobs for the week.

“It’s a slap in the face for every nurse who is here striking for better working conditions and better wages,” said nurse Jennifer Cabrera, who has worked at Kaiser in Ontario since 2011. “About 100 nurses were brought to Ontario by Uber from a Los Angeles hotel, many of who

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