Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
HONOLULU (AP) — Workers at Kaiser Permanente's hospital and clinics in Hawaii plan to strike for six days beginning Feb. 2, the union representing them said Friday.
United Here Local 5 said it's been negotiating a contract for 2 ½ years. Kaiser's proposed a wage increase is the lowest proposed to any of its unions in Hawaii and on the mainland, the union said. Kaiser wants to eliminate guaranteed pensions for new employees, it said.
"With $3.1 billion in profits in the last 9 months, Kaiser can afford to give us the contract we deserve. We deserve better. Our patients deserve better," the union said in a statement on its website.
Nearly 1,900 Local 5 members work for the health care organization in Hawaii. They include licensed practical nurses and medical assistants as well as maintenance workers, housekeepers and food service workers. Eighty-eight percent of members who cast ballots in a recent vote cast ballots in favor of striking. Registered nurses are not part of the Local 5 union.
Kaiser is negotiating in good faith, said company spokeswoman Laura M. Lott.
"We're disappointed that they're taking this action. It really distracts from meaningful and productive discussions," she said. "Should there be a strike, we will take necessary steps to continue delivering high quality care to our patients."
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
