Nurses strike ending The seven-week-old nurses strike may be coming to a close.
St. Francis: The nurses union and the hospital reach a tentative deal that includes an 18% salary boost over three yearsQueen's: A union official says 686 of the 700 eligible nurses took part and voted about 2-to-1 in favor of the new three-year deal
By Lyn Danninger
ldanninger@starbulletin.comHours after striking nurses from Queen's Medical Center voted to ratify their new three-year contract last night, union negotiators and St. Francis officials reached a tentative agreement. The tentative settlement includes an 18-percent salary increase over three years; with 4 percent the first year, followed by 6 percent the second year and 8 percent the third year.
St. Francis also agreed to establish a retiree medical plan.
The two sides were scheduled to begin return-to-work discussions at 1:30 p.m. today at the Hawaii Employers Council, said hospital spokeswoman Maggie Jarrett.
"Everybody is very pleased with the agreement and we appreciate that the nurses have truly partnered with us to reach this tentative settlement," Jarrett said.
The union plans to hold an informational meeting, followed by a ratification vote, beginning at 8 a.m. Sunday at the Laborers International Union hall on Palama Street, according to Scott Foster, spokesman for the Hawaii Nurses Association.
Claudine Tomasa, chief negotiator for the union, described last night's tentative agreement as "truly a happy ending."
"In the end, St. Francis has shown their faith in us and we will return the commitment and begin the healing process to any bad feelings that this seven-week strike might have created," she said.
The union did not release the exact tally in yesterday's Queen's vote, but said 686 of more than 700 eligible nurses participated.
Union negotiator Caroldean Kahue said the vote was about 2-to-1 in favor of ratification.
Following voting, more than 50 nurses stayed at the union hall to watch as the ballots were counted. Many said they had reluctantly voted in favor of the new contract.
One nurse who voted against the contract, Joan Craft, said she knew the agreement would likely be ratified even though many nurses were unhappy with it.
"I voted against the contract, but I knew it would pass because people are tired," she said.
"I'm not happy with the contract but in the end it might be easier on the majority of people that it is ratified."
Nurse Debbie Thompson said she went back and forth on how to vote.
"It was my financial side vs. what I thought was correct," she said. Thompson declined to say which way she voted.
Union negotiator Liz Clavin echoed her colleagues' sentiments. "I don't think anyone was surprised. There were too many people who were too poor."
The nurses will return to work starting at 7 a.m. Jan. 24, but will not have to work alongside replacement nurses flown in from the mainland to work during the strike.
Barbara Mathews, Queen's vice president of patient care and chief nursing officer, said the hospital had worked out a detailed plan to ensure the transition goes smoothly.
Highlights of the Queen's contract include a 21 percent wage increase over three years, the elimination of mandatory overtime, additional wage increases for longtime employees who have five, 10 and 15 years of service and maintaining the current pension plan.
The hospital would not back down on its paid time off program, which combines a portion of sick leave with vacation days.
Union members had fought to keep the program off the table. In the end, Queen's did agree to some modifications of the program.
St. Francis Healthcare System
Queen's Medical Center
