Hundreds of neighbor-island nurses, health care workers to hold 3-day strike
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hundreds of nurses and other health care workers at major hospitals on the neighbor islands are planning to hold a three-day strike in November, the United Nurses and Health Care Employees of Hawaii (UNCHEH) announced Thursday.
Most of the essential staff at Maui Memorial Medical Center in Wailuku, Kula Hospital and Lanai Community Hospital will walk the picket lines from 7 a.m. Monday, Nov. 4 through 7 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 7.
The union said the nurse-to-patient ratio at the hospital is unsafe, they are burnt out, and workers are leaving the medical field completely to find better paying jobs.
They’re also advocating for better wages for lower-paid workers, including admitting clerks, receptionists, case managers, financial counselors, unit clerks and more.
UNHCEH has been bargaining with Maui Health, which falls under Kaiser Permanente, since July and have failed to reach an agreement.
The contract expired at the beginning of the month.
“Kaiser continues to operate Maui Health under different, lesser standards across the board: lower wages, benefits, and care standards, resulting in a less stable patient care environment, with high turnover and chronic staffing shortages,” the union said in a press release.
The union pointed to Kaiser’s recent contract agreement with RNs in California, which has the same RN-to-patient ratios they’re asking for.
Last month, union officials said 98% of its members voted “yes” to go on strike.
It delivered a 10-day notice of the strike after having failed contract talks on Thursday.
“The community’s been hurting ever since COVID. This year alone, because of those fires, rent has gone up on Maui about 40%. We’re losing staff left and right. Many people have moved off the island because they couldn’t afford to live here. We’re trying to make it so nurses and healthcare workers can afford to stay and care for our ohana,” said UNHCEH chair Matt Pelc.
UNHCEH which is a chapter of United Nurses Association of California (UNAC), represents all the nurses, ancillary staff, imaging techs, and pharmacists at Maui Memorial Medical Center.
In response to the strike notice, Maui Health released a statement saying in part:
It is important to understand that a strike notice does not mean there will be a strike.
Our highest priority is the health, safety, and well-being of our patients and residents. In the unfortunate event of a strike, we have contingency plans in place to ensure the best care for our patients and residents. This includes a temporary workforce of experienced, highly qualified healthcare professionals who will work with the rest of our team during the strike and for as long as needed.
We are disappointed that the union decided to issue a strike notice within the first 30 minutes of starting our first of three bargaining sessions scheduled for this week. We believe the best place to resolve our differences and reach an agreement is at the bargaining table and we remain committed to continuing to bargain in good faith to reach a mutually beneficial agreement to avoid a strike. Our bargaining team is prepared and eager to engage in productive discussions at the remaining scheduled sessions including this afternoon, tomorrow, October 25, and Saturday, October 26.
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