UPW issues strike
notice for Kuakini

A federal mediator is
handling negotiations

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By Lyn Danninger
ldanninger@starbulletin.com

The United Public Workers union has issued a 10-day strike notice covering 183 of its members who work in full- and part-time jobs at Kuakini Medical Center.

The UPW contract with Kuakini expired Aug. 31.

Kuakini spokeswoman Donda Spiker confirmed that the hospital received the strike notice yesterday.

"We got written notice from UPW that they are planning to strike Sept. 14 at 7 a.m.," she said.

The union represents licensed practical nurses, hospital aides, dietary workers, maintenance and environmental services workers and some employees who work in the hospital's sterile processing unit and the operating room, Spiker said.

Negotiations between the hospital and UPW are now being handled by a federal mediator, she said.

The last time a strike notice was issued by UPW for Kuakini was in 2000. That contract was settled without a strike.

In the meantime, the hospital is making preparations in the event of a strike, Spiker said.

"Kuakini is taking steps to ensure that the medical center can continue to provide services to our patients. Our primary focus is on maintaining quality of care and patient safety," she said.

UPW officials could not be reached for comment.