HONOLULU (KHON2) — Medical staff on Maui and Lanai are set to walk out of work for three days, beginning Nov. 4.
Nurses and essential staff at Maui Memorial Center, Kula Hospital and Lanai Community Hospital said staffing shortages and unfair labor practices forced them to take this step.
The healthcare workers at Maui Memorial are reportedly covered by contracts separate from other Kaiser Permanente workers in Hawaii and they said Maui Health System employs lesser standards, including: lower wages, benefits and care standards.
The result is a high turnover rate and chronic staffing issues.
“Nurses are getting burned out and overwhelmed due to staffing shortages,” said Napua Aloy, RN, NP. “We need to retain nurses to give better care.”
Workers said they were threatened by Kaiser management and have been subject to unfair labor practices, including surveilling workers.
The strike will end at 7 a.m. on Nov. 7.