Renewed nurse talks expected to continue

By Robbie Dingeman and Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writers

After returning to the bargaining table yesterday, Wahiawa General Hospital nurses and management are expected to continue negotiations today.

The strike at the rural hospital is in its ninth week and the two sides resumed negotiations at the request of a federal mediator.

Hawai'i Nurses' Association spokesman Scott Foster said the talks would continue despite today's holiday.

The last time both sides met was May 14, for talks that 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 yesterday morning at the Hawai'i Employers Council.

Nearly all of the 63 striking nurses have found additional 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 workers with higher seniority, and access to retiree benefits.

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