500 UPW workers vote to strike in dispute above pay back Maui Overall health hopes for settlement : Maui Now

Approximately 500 frontline healthcare staff at Kaiser’s Maui Well being Method have voted to strike in a dispute more than spend, but Maui Well being is hopes an settlement can nevertheless be attained.

Nurses aides, respiratory therapists, housekeepers, cooks and other personnel at Maui Memorial Clinical Middle, Kula Hospital and Lānaʻi Community Hospital are set to walk out and get started organized picketing at all 3 places on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, at 6 a.m., according to the union symbolizing the personnel.

United General public Workers AFSCME, Local 646, AFL-CIO explained its associates voted by a 97.6% vast majority to authorize the strike. “These personnel are entitled to to be compensated fair wages just after laboring by means of the pandemic, enduring staffing shortages and working with soaring inflation,” said Condition Director Kalani Werner in a news launch.

Maui Wellness studies it received the strike recognize on Friday, Feb. 10. Maui Health spokesperson Tracy Dallarda responded to Maui Now’s request for remark saying the strike detect does not automatically suggest a strike will start, but if the union intends to actively strike, the begin date will be Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023.

In a statement on Thursday afternoon, Dallarda stated, “Maui Health and fitness carries on to bargain in good religion and is dedicated to achieving a good and equitable arrangement. While it is unsure a strike will choose area, the Maui Health staff has well prepared a contingency approach to lower disruption to people, guests, and total functions.”

The union, meanwhile explained, “After virtually 9 months of making an attempt to get the job done with Kaiser to make certain a truthful perform surroundings, the staff have misplaced self-confidence in the hospital’s management.” Union associates say staff elected to strike after agreement negotiations and subsequent mediation failed.

The Maui Well being Process staff have been performing beneath a contract extension because June 30, 2022, according to the UPW.

“Our staff generously gave their all in the spirit of cooperation and lōkahi to assist the community by the pandemic and over and above, but there has not been any appreciation by the medical center,” reported Werner who identified as the union requests “fair and sensible.”

Maui Wellness continues to hold on to hopes that an agreement can be reached. “We will continue on to negotiate in very good religion in hopes of achieving an arrangement before long,” according to Maui Health and fitness.