Wahiawa nurses, managers are talking

By Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writer

Striking Wahiawa General Hospital nurses and management returned to the bargaining table today at the request of a federal mediator.

The strike at the small, rural hospital is in its ninth week. The last time both sides met was May 14, and that meeting lasted only 20 minutes.

"We have to be optimistic," said striking nurse Ella Siroskey. "This has to end at some point. We hope they are going to be willing to listen and that we can negotiate."

Both sides met this morning at the Hawai'i Employers Council.

Nearly all of the 63 striking nurses have found additonal jobs, part time or full time, Siroskey said. But they still walk picket lines each day.

"The cohesiveness of the group has not changed in nine weeks," she said.

Hospital management did not return phone calls seeking comment.

Union members and management have said the two sides are not far apart on wages. But there are sticking points in the benefits package, including health insurance, increased pay for more senior workers and access to retiree benefits.

The hospital has presented three offers to the nurses that its management says are affordable, with raises during a proposed three-year contract ranging from 15 percent to 19 percent, depending on the other benefits offered.