More than 250 health care workers in Hawai‘i began a week-long strike against Kaiser Permanente Tuesday.
Amid a greater multi-state strike by more than 31,000 members of the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals, Kaiser Permanente has assured Hawai‘i residents that emergency medical services will still be available.
"For months, we’ve been preparing contingency plans to ensure members continue receiving safe, high-quality care if a strike occurs," read a statement from Kaiser Permanente. "During a strike, our Moanalua Medical Center, emergency department, urgent cares at Honolulu Medical Office, West O‘ahu Medical Office at Kapolei, and Maui Lani Medical Office will remain open and operational during any work stoppage. Most of our medical offices will also remain open."
However, all Kaiser pharmacies and some laboratory locations will be closed during the strike. Kaiser will call patients directly if they need to have an appointment rescheduled, and some appointments will be shifted to virtual meetings.
At the same time, Kaiser refuted the unions' claims that workers are underpaid and understaffed, claiming that the new contract terms offered by Kaiser are "generous."
"Our compensation philosophy is to pay our employees, on average, as much as 10% above the market in which they work," Kaiser's statement read. "Our Alliance-represented employees are currently paid on average 16% above market ... Our strong offer boosts above-market pay, benefits, and career growth, and raises wages by 21.5% over four years. It also improves medical plans, retiree benefits, and invests in educational trust funds supporting employees’ goals."
The unions' demands, which include a 25% percent wage increase over four years, is "out of step with today's economic realities," the Kaiser statement reads and would increase Kaiser's payroll by nearly $2 billion by 2029.
The strike is scheduled to end Sunday morning at 7 a.m.
