“Nurses are getting burned out and overwhelmed due to staffing shortages. We need to retain nurses to give better care.”
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Officials from Maui Health and the union representing hundreds of nurses and healthcare workers scheduled extra negotiation sessions to prevent a three-day strike.
On Oct. 24, medical staff on Maui and Lanai announced they would walk out of work starting Nov. 4 to fight against staffing shortages and unfair labor practices.
According to the union, four bargaining sessions will be held from Thursday, Oct. 31 through Sunday, Nov. 3.
Workers at Maui Memorial Medical Center, Kula Hospital and Lanai Community Hospital are set to conclude their strike at 7 a.m. on Nov. 7.
Healthcare workers at Maui Memorial are reportedly covered by contracts separate from other Kaiser Permanente workers.
They added that Maui Health System employs lesser standards including lower wages, benefits and care standards.
“Nurses are getting burned out and overwhelmed due to staffing shortages. We need to retain nurses to give better care,” said Napua Aloy, RN, NP.
Check out more news from around Hawaii
Maui Health said temporary workers will be on hand during the strike. All Maui Health hospitals and clinics will remain open.