Mediator to enter
Maui nurse talks
WAILUKU >> A federal mediator will step into negotiations involving some 30 registered nurses at a medical care facility on Maui starting Wednesday.
Nurses at the nonprofit Hale Makua have been negotiating for about three weeks, and a federal mediator was called in after both sides remained far apart in labor talks, said Claudine Tomasa, chief negotiator for the Hawaii Nurses Association's collective bargaining organization.
But Tomasa said negotiations have not reached an impasse and are still moving along.
She said nurses want an hourly wage competitive with other medical facilities such as Kaiser Permanente.
Tomasa said the top hourly wage for nurses is $24.66 at Hale Makua and about $31 at Kaiser.
Hale Makua provides long-term care for patients as well as other services, including skilled nursing care and home health care.
Tomasa said before practicing nursing in medical facilities in Hawaii, registered nurses are required to have at least a two-year associate of science degree and to pass the state Board of Nursing exam.
Tony Krieg, Hale Makua chief executive officer, said his group believes the nurses work hard and should get higher pay. But Krieg said Hale Makua, which serves about 500 clients, doesn't receive payment from the same kind of sources as Kaiser.
Krieg said Hale Makua generally receives more reimbursement from government agencies serving the poor.
The nurses at Hale Makua have been without a contract since June 30, but Hale Makua officials have agreed to extend the contract until Wednesday.