Q&A
What's going on during the strike
| • | 1,400 nurses on strike; most services still OK |
Advertiser Staff
If you have questions about the strike and how it is affecting the individual hospitals: • Queen's patients can call their physicians or dial 537-7117 to reach a staff member who can field strike-related questions. • St. Francis has set up a Community Information Line with a recorded message about available services, at 547-6337. Call Kuakini's public relations office at 547-9168, or 547-9006 for recorded information.
More than 1,400 nurses at three major O'ahu hospitals began picketing Monday and yesterday after failing to reach contract agreements with their respective hospitals. Here is some basic information about the strike:
Hospitals will field phone calls
Q. Who's out on strike?
A. More than 800 nurses at The Queen's Medical Center yesterday joined 225 union nurses at Kuakini and 370 nurses at St. Francis-Liliha medical centers who walked off their jobs Monday. Nurses at Kaiser and Kapi'olani medical centers reached tentative contract agreements that will be voted on later this week. The strike does not affect St. Francis-West hospital, where nurses are on a separate contract.
Q. Why are the nurses on strike?
A. The Hawai'i Nurses Association, the union representing the nurses, began negotiating with the so-called Big Five hospitals Oct. 16, but talks quickly fell apart. The major issues separating the two sides include staffing problems, sick leave and vacation time, retirement benefits, mandatory overtime, and wages.
Q. What should I do if I require emergency treatment?
A. Representatives at Queen's and Kuakini said the emergency rooms at their facilities remain open. Striking nurses are allowing ambulances to enter the emergency room areas. But ambulances are being diverted at St. Francis-Liliha.
Q. What should I do if I have an appointment for a test or procedure at a striking hospital?
A. Queen's officials said they are prepared to maintain all services with temporary nurses. Patients are urged to go to their scheduled appointments, but allow extra time for traffic delays because of the picket lines. At Kuakini, officials also are urging people to keep their appointments. Services at St. Francis were severely curtailed Monday. All surgeries have been cancelled, and no new patients are being admitted.
Q. Are the physician office buildings at the three hospitals affected by the strike?
A. No. Private nurses work at the doctors' offices and are not affected by the strike.
