United Public Workers Reject New Contract with Maui Health System
KAHULUI, MAUI (March 20, 2023) – Members of the United Public Workers AFSCME, Local 646, AFL-CIO have rejected Kaiser’s Maui Health System, with an overwhelming number of members voting NO to the latest three-year contract offer.
United Public Workers AFSCME, Local 646, AFL-CIO State Director Kalani Werner said, “Once again, Kaiser’s Maui Health System has undervalued our healthcare heroes. Our members deserve to be treated fairly and compensated appropriately, and the recent offer from Maui Health System does neither. The latest proposed wage increases still leave many skilled employees making less than the market rate and do not keep up with the inflation rate. The Employer has proven time and time again that they have money for traveling staff but spare none for the loyal local families that serve their community. Although frontline workers put their lives at risk through the pandemic, hospital management repeatedly fails to do what’s right and give them the respect they deserve.”
Nurses aides, respiratory therapists, housekeepers, cooks, and other workers at Maui Memorial Medical Center, Kula Hospital, and Lanai Community Hospital have been on strike since Feb. 22, 2023. The workers are committed to holding the line, and picketing will continue until a fair deal is reached.
