Bargaining ceases at Wahiawa hospital; no new talks slated

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

Talks between striking nurses and Wahiawa General Hospital broke off last night, less than an hour after they began.

No further negotiations have been scheduled to end the 11-day walkout. Last night's session was the first time the two sides had met since April 30.

Negotiators from the Hawai'i Nurses Association presented a contract proposal to hospital management at about 8 p.m. But Sue Scheider, the union's collective bargaining director, said the hospital rejected the offer less than a half-hour later.

Scheider said two-thirds of the almost 60 striking nurses had gone to the negotiations at the Hawai'i Employers Council, hoping that a settlement would be reached last night.

"Within 20 minutes, the nurses' hopes were changed to disappointment and anger as the federal mediator reported that the hospital's team had not only rejected the union's counteroffer, but was insisting on one of their three previous options that had already been soundly rejected by the nurses," she said.

Hospital officials could not be reached for comment last night.

Scheider said the nurses will return to the picket lines today, but on a much smaller scale because many nurses have found other jobs.

Striking registered nurse Ella Siroskey said five nurses have resigned and 19 more have taken part-time jobs.

Siroskey said the two sides "are on the same page" on wages but are far apart on a benefits package.