STAR-ADVERTISER FILE
The Hale Nani Rehabilitation and Nursing Center at 1677 Pensacola Street is seen in this photo. Unionized health care workers at the skilled nursing facility said they have reached a tentative agreement with management and will no longer be going on strike.
Unionized health care workers at Hale Nani Rehabilitation & Nursing Center said they have reached a tentative agreement with management and will no longer be going on strike.
Unite Here Local 5, which represents more than 200 Hale Nani workers, had delivered a strike notice for a walkout set to begin Feb. 23.
The tentative agreement, the union said, includes the restoration of hours and staffing that management cut last year, along with affordable family health care and significant wage increases.
“We are thrilled to have reached a tentative agreement on a successor contract that achieves all of our goals,” said Local 5 financial secretary-treasurer Cade Watanabe in a news release. “Not only did we secure fair wage increases over the next three years, we were able to preserve affordable medical coverage for our 200 plus members and their families.”
Watanabe added, “But most importantly, we have agreed on key staffing and workload improvements that will positively impact our members and allow us to better care for and meet the needs of our patients.”
The 288-bed facility at 1677 Pensacola St. in Makiki is one of the state’s largest skilled nursing facilities, offering rehabilitation and nursing services.
Don’t miss out on what’s happening!
Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It’s FREE!
Negotiations had been ongoing since early December, and the workers’ contract had expired on Dec. 31. Workers held a rally in January before delivering the strike notice last week.
Local 5 represents certified nursing assistants and workers in the dietary, recreation, maintenance and housekeeping departments at Hale Nani.
“We fought hard to reach this tentative agreement and win a contract that provides the staffing we need to take care of our patients, along with the wages and healthcare we need to take care of our families today and tomorrow,” said Gilda Ellazar, a CNA at Hale Nani, in a news release. “From rallies outside of the facility to preparing to walk out on strike, our actions and determination paid off.”
Some 31,000 union workers at Kaiser, meanwhile, entered their fourth week of striking at hospitals and clinics in California and Hawaii.