Health care workers across major Maui hospitals go on strike

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hundreds of nurses and other healthcare workers at major hospitals on the neighboring islands are on strike Monday morning.
They are demanding safe staffing and higher wages.
Staff at Maui Memorial Medical Center, Kula Hospital, and Lanai Community Hospital gathered to create picket signs over the weekend in preparation for their three-day strike.
The picketers say this comes after several failed negotiations with the hospitals.
“We gave them a proposal, and on Friday afternoon, they basically gave us that proposal back rejecting it, 100% rejection, and so we’re pretty frustrated; it’s a blatant disrespect of our time,” Maui Memorial Medical Center Nurse Melissa Robinson said.
“With the high cost of living here and especially on Maui, like our costs have gone up so much since the Lahaina fires, it’s ridiculous; we can’t retain people, and the patient, the public, is the one that suffers when we can’t keep nurses and doctors here,” Maui Memorial Center Critical Care Nurse Josh Masslon said.
In a statement, Maui Health said in part:
Maui Health hospitals, emergency departments, and clinics are open and will remain open and operating as usual for the duration of the strike. We have comprehensive plans in place to ensure the best care for our patients, residents, and the communities we serve on Maui and Lanai, including a temporary workforce of experienced nurses and health care professionals who will work with the rest of our health care team, for as long as needed. Patients should not let strike activity deter them from seeking care.
Read Maui Health’s full statement here:
The strike is slated to end Thursday at 7 a.m.
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