Kapi'olani Health averts strike by Teamsters

By Susan Hooper
Advertiser Staff Writer

The Hawai'i Teamsters Local 996 has reached a tentative contract agreement with Kapi'olani Health, averting a strike by 200 union cooks, housekeepers, nurse's aides and other support staff.

Brian White, communications manager for Kapi'olani Health, said yesterday the agreement was reached Saturday. He said he could not release details until the contract is ratified.

Mel Kahele, president of the local, said union workers will vote tomorrow on contract ratification.

The Teamsters members work at Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children. The union and Kapi'olani Health, the medical center's parent company, had met several times in contract talks with a federal mediator.

On Aug. 28, the union notified Kapi'olani Health that its members were prepared to strike Sept. 10 unless remaining issues were settled.

The major stumbling block had been a proposal by Kapi'olani Health that the union said would reduce sick leave benefits.

Teamsters at the medical center have been working without a contract since Aug. 1. Their most recent three-year contract expired June 30 and was extended to July 31.