The union representing nearly 1,900 workers at Kaiser Permanente Hawaii said their members have authorized a six-day strike starting Feb. 2 and ending Feb. 7.
Unite Here Local 5 announced the strike plan on its website Friday.
"Over the last few years we’ve been organizing actions to protest urgent care clinic closures and mass layoffs," said Paola Rodelas, Local 5 spokeswoman. "These changes hurt our patients and impact our ability to care for our patients. We feel Kaiser has left us no choice. That’s why we’re going on strike."
Last week 88 percent of roughly 1,000 Kaiser workers voted to go on strike, the union said.
"We have received a 10-day notice from Local 5 and are disappointed by this negotiating tactic because it distracts focus and resources away from completing meaningful and productive talks," Kaiser spokeswoman Laura Lott said in a statement. "We attempted to prevent the strike by contacting the union, urging them to return to the bargaining table as soon as possible. We hoped that union leadership would consider this alternative to the strike but they did not. We believe an honest discussion at the bargaining table is the best way to resolve issues and differences."
Lott said Kaiser is making plans to limit the impact of the strike.
"If a strike takes place, we will take the necessary steps to minimize disruption to our patients and members," Lott said. "We deeply regret any inconvenience caused by Local 5’s action and appreciate our members’ understanding and patience."
Lott added, "We question whether union leadership’s decision to ask employees to stop patient care during such a severe flu season is the best thing for the community."
Kaiser also questioned the union’s vote count. "The vote to authorize a strike only counted ballots cast. It is incorrect to say a majority of employees approved a strike. A majority of those who voted approved the strike." Kaiser said there are 1,874 employees represented by Local 5 in housekeeping, maintenance, food service, medical assistance, nursing, technology, pharmacy and other jobs.
The union said Kaiser employees have been working without a contract for 21⁄2 years. Kaiser last met at the bargaining table with the union in October.
Local 5 said Kaiser’s last offer included proposed wage increases of 2 percent in the first year of a new contract, 1 percent in the second year and another 1 percent in the third year.
"This is the lowest wage increase that Kaiser has proposed to any of its other unions, both here in Hawaii and on the mainland," Rodelas said. "Kaiser also wants to eliminate guaranteed pensions for new employees. If Kaiser succeeds in eliminating pensions for new employees, what’s to stop Kaiser from going after the pensions of current employees next?"
Kaiser also has refused proposed retroactive pay for employees working the past 21⁄2 years without a contract, instead opting to give eligible employees a $600 bonus, far less than what they would receive in back pay with the raises, Rodelas said.
