Kaiser Permanente Hawaii Workers Authorize Strike

More than 2,000 Kaiser Permanente workers across Hawaii voted this week to authorize a strike, with UNITE HERE Local 5 reporting 97% support and Hawaiʻi Nurses and Healthcare Professionals reporting 89% support. The unions represent nurses, pharmacists, therapists, pharmacy technicians, housekeeping and other frontline staff — including about 100 Local 5 members on the Big Island — and say they need safer staffing ratios and pay and benefits comparable to mainland counterparts, noting some classifications in Hawaii earn up to 30% less. Workers and union leaders say chronic short-staffing has harmed patient care and staff well-being, with members describing exhaustion and demoralization. Local bargaining began in April and national talks in May, and the unions authorized the strike ahead of contracts expiring at the end of September (Sept. 30–Oct. 1). Kaiser Permanente said it has negotiated in good faith, pointing to an offer of about 20% in wage increases over four years and benefit enhancements, while both sides say they prefer a negotiated deal but unions are prepared to strike if Kaiser does not commit to concrete staffing and pay improvements.