FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
Members of Local 5 joined striking nurses yesterday on the picket line at the Queen's Medical Center. Cora Quinesares, left, and Everin Lampipoc joined other picketers in cheering as passing cars honked in support.
Unions show solidarity Representatives from at least eight unions helped striking nurses turn up the volume outside the Queen's Medical Center yesterday afternoon.
with nurses
Striking nurses leave jobs
By Lyn Danninger
ldanninger@starbulletin.comLed by Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Local 5 Financial Secretary-Treasurer Eric Gill, about 75 picketers joined the picket line, chanting and singing as they walked in front of the hospital's Punchbowl Street entrance.
Apart from Local 5, unions represented on the picket line included the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Hawaii Government Employees Association, Seafarers International Union, Machinists Union, Musicians Union, Hawaii Newspaper Guild and Laborers International Union of North American Local 368.
Nurses said they were happy to get the extra help.
"It's nice to have the moral support," said Queen's nurse Caroline Haywood.
Union members and officials said the show of support for the nurses is important.
"It helps put added pressure on the hospitals to settle the matter," said Local 5's Gill.
Local 5 members will be back to support the nurses, Gill said, although no schedule has been arranged.
Meanwhile, the Honolulu Police Department issued a statement yesterday reminding motorists to keep the noise down near the hospital. The department said it is a violation of the law to operate a vehicle in a way that creates a loud noise near a hospital. Violators are subject to a $100 fine, 60 days in prison or both, police said.
"While the department understands that individuals want to show their support to the nurses who are on strike, the honking by motorists may disrupt patients who are resting," the department said.
The message had not gotten through yesterday to many drivers traveling along Punchbowl Street who honked their horns in support of the strikers.
Almost 1,400 registered nurses at Queen's, St. Francis Medical Center and Kuakini Medical Center have been striking for nearly a month. No new talks with the three medical centers have been scheduled.
St. Francis Healthcare System
Queen's Medical Center
Kuakini Health System
