Nurses union says hospital 'undermining' it

By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Health Writer

The labor union that represents nurses at Kapi'olani Women's and Children's Medical Center has filed a complaint about an administrative decision to change the assignments of about 30 licensed practical nurses.

The Collective Bargaining Organization of the Hawai'i Nurses Association, led by director Sue Scheider, announced yesterday that it has filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board accusing Kapi'olani of "bad-faith bargaining and undermining union recognition."

Scheider said the hospital is replacing the nurses with unlicensed aides, a charge the hospital denies.

Larry O'Brien, Kapi'olani's CEO, said the action was negotiated during collective bargaining in August and offers choices such as early retirement or positions at other hospitals to those nurses being replaced. O'Brien said the practical nurses are being replaced with more skilled registered nurses.