Queen’s, nurses Negotiations between Queen's Medical Center and representatives of the striking Hawaii Nurses Association, which resumed yesterday after a two-week hiatus, broke down around 1:30 a.m.
break off bargaining
Talks with Kuakini end
without any type of settlement
but will continue tomorrowBy Lyn Danninger
ldanninger@starbulletin.comUnion representatives said the nurses presented a proposal to management around 4:30 p.m. yesterday, which Queen's later countered.
A final proposal by the nurses was subsequently rejected by Queen's, the union said.
Queen's nurses representative at the negotiations Bill Richter said: "Although the nurses union presented two complete counter proposals, the employer stood steadfast to its "last, best and final offer" from Nov. 30.
Queen's spokeswoman Lynn Kenton described the discussions as "productive."
"Different proposals were presented by both sides. There was productive discussion.
"The majority of Queen's proposals did reflect components of its previous best and final package, which we believe is an attractive and comprehensive package."
The union said no new talks between the two sides have been scheduled.
Meanwhile talks with Kuakini, which began at 9 a.m. yesterday, concluded in the afternoon with little movement achieved. But both sides will meet again tomorrow evening.
Kuakini spokeswoman Donda Spiker said the nurses union brought several proposals to the meeting for the hospital to consider.
The biggest area of disagreement between the two sides has been mandatory overtime.
Close to 1,400 nurses who are members of the HNA are now in the third week of a strike against Queen's, Kuakini and St. Francis medical centers.
The staffing agency responsible for supplying replacement nurses used by the three hospitals said it has chartered a plane to bring those nurses' families to Honolulu for Christmas.
According to its Web site, Healthcare Consulting and Staffing Services Inc. has chartered a plane that will leave Los Angeles Monday and return Dec. 27.
The company said it will pay for the charter of a 360-passenger L1011 aircraft. Families of the replacement nurses will pay for flights to reach Los Angeles.
The staffing agency said it will also cover the cost of the replacement nurses' hotel accommodations Dec. 23-26, and will host a Christmas dinner and party, complete with presents.
Queen's is not subsidizing any of the cost to bring in the families, Kenton said.
At St. Francis Medical Center, no new negotiations have been scheduled, according to both sides.
St. Francis Healthcare System
Queen's Medical Center
Kuakini Health System