Wahiawa nurses ratify 3-year contract
By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer
Nurses at Wahiawa General Hospital unanimously approved a new three-year contract last night and will begin returning to work Sunday.
Thirty-four of the 46 nurses who were eligible to vote cast ballots yesterday and all voted to ratify the new deal.
The contract agreement was reached Tuesday night and calls for wage increases of 19 percent over three years. The agreement also preserves health insurance premiums, limits mandatory overtime, and includes longevity pay for nurses with at least 10 years of service. Before the strike nurses were earning $28.60 an hour.
"Everyone feels very jubilant and in good spirits and we all have positive attitudes and we look forward to serving our patients and physicians," recovery room nurse Randy Pisani said.
Wahiawa hospital spokesman Richard Aea said he was glad the hospital can move past the strike. "We're happy it's through and we can get back to the business of taking care of patients," he said.
Harsh words were exchanged at times during the 11-week walkout, but Pisani, who was one of the negotiators, said she believes the hospital can move forward.
"I'm sure there will be some hard feelings, but we're adults and we have good professional skills and we can work through it to better our hospital and to serve our community," she said.
The walkout of nearly 65 registered nurses began May 5 at Wahiaw? General, a 162-bed hospital and the only 24-hour primary and emergency care facility between 'Ewa and Kahuku.
The ratification vote began about 12 hours after the nurses and hospital management reached an accord on a return-to-work agreement. The agreement covers issues such as when health benefits resume, what shifts people work initially, seniority and vacations.
The two sides have yet to reach an agreement on a pension plan for the nurses. If no deal is reached, the contract could be reopened in April 2004 and the nurses could strike again or the issue could be turned over to an independent arbitrator.
Staff writer Robbie Dingeman contributed to this report.
