Posted on: Friday, July 20, 2001

Moloka'i nurses ratify new contract

Advertiser Staff

KAUNAKAKAI, Moloka'i — Registered nurses at Moloka'i General Hospital ratified a contract Wednesday that gives them a one-time bonus with no increase in wages.

Five of the six registered nurses at the 30-bed hospital went on strike for five weeks in May and June before returning to work without a contract.

The contract approved this week awards them a bonus of 1.5 percent of their annual salary, said Mary Bonifacio, director of nursing at Moloka'i General, which is run by Queen's Health Systems.

Management also agreed to increase its share of medical insurance costs.

"We're happy that we came to a settlement," Bonifacio said yesterday. "It was a difficult time and we're happy that it's ended."

Officials at the Hawai'i Nurses Association, which represents the Moloka'i nurses, were unavailable for comment.

The nurses were asking for a $350 bonus and a 1 percent pay increase.