(HONOLULU, HAWAII) – More Than 2,000 Kaiser Permanente Workers in Hawaii represented by UNITE HERE Local 5 and Hawaii Nurses and Healthcare Professionals (HNHP) have voted to authorize a Strike, Union Officials announced.

Local 5 Members voted 97% yes to authorizing a strike and HNHP members from three Bargaining Units voted 89% - giving Union Leadership the ability to call a strike, if necessary, after their contracts expire on September 30th.

Key priorities for Workers include safe staffing that protects Workers’ well-being and quality patient care, as well as fair wage increases.

In Hawaii Workers in some classifications are paid up to 30% less than their counterparts on the continent and do not receive the same benefits.

“The results of our Strike Authorization Vote make it clear, we’re ready to do whatever it takes to settle a new contract that puts our patients first and addresses our staffing and workload concerns,” Local 5 Financial Secretary-Treasurer Cade Watanabe said.

“We’re proud of the level of care we provide our community - every day, and Kaiser remains a great place to get quality care –-if you can get it, but why should Hawaii Health Care Workers be compensated less than our counterparts on the mainland?,” he asked.

Local bargaining began in April and national bargaining began in May with Kaiser Permanente, the Nation’s largest not-for-profit Health Care System.

Local 5 represents more than 1,900 Kaiser Permanente, including Hospital Aides, Medical Assistants, Pharmacy Techs, Lab Assistants, Dietary Specialists, Housekeeping and more.

HNHP represents 1,200 Kaiser Permanente Workers, including Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Respiratory Therapists and Lab Professionals.

To Read This Labor News Story In Its Entirety, Go To: Thousands of Hawai‘i Kaiser Permanente workers authorize strike across four islands - UNITE HERE Local 5