Kapiolani Nurses Plan Strike on September 13

Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children is facing an escalation in labor tensions as its unionized nurses, represented by the Hawaii Nurses Association (HNA), are set to strike on September 13. Hospital management has warned that those participating in the strike will face a lockout until a new contract is reached, which they argue is within their legal rights. The nurses, who have voted overwhelmingly in favor of the strike due to claims of unfair labor practices and unsafe staffing conditions, have been without a contract since December 2023. HNA President Rosalee Agas-Yuu criticized the hospital's management for a culture of intimidation and retaliation, stating that their actions contradict their claims of valuing nurses. Kapiolani's administration claims their contract offer is fair, proposing salaries up to $160,000 for a three-day work week, while planning to utilize traveling nurses during the strike and lockout. This upcoming strike follows a previous week-long strike earlier this year, marking ongoing labor disputes at the facility.