“If they have a child that, say, has cancer, they have to go into the hospital very regularly. So they have to pay COBRA, but it’s way more expensive. You’re looking at thousands of dollars.”
HONOLULU (KHON2) — At Hawaii Nurses Association headquarters, virtual negotiations started at 10 a.m. and continued throughout Friday. The sticking point continues to be safe staffing ratios.
As the lockout continues, the union said it’s helping nurses apply for loans and other options for supplemental income. Most impacted nurses have applied for unemployment. However, the biggest fear is the nurses’ health insurance, which will run out at the end of the month.
“If they have a child that, say, has cancer, they have to go into the hospital very regularly. So they have to pay COBRA, but it’s way more expensive. You’re looking at thousands of dollars,” said Rosealee Agas-Yuu, Hawaii Nurses Association President.
The nurses also shared their growing concerns about patient care and the emotional toll on families.
“We were bargaining yesterday and we said, hey let us in, and continue to work so that we could be there with our patients so we don’t have to worry about what’s happening in there,” said Agas-Yuu.
Criticism from some patients has been appearing on social media but Gidget Ruscetta, COO of Kapiolani, said in a statement “any concerns brought to our attention are immediately addressed.”
Despite rumors about the need to reroute pediatric patients, Honolulu EMS said there has been no impact on operations.
HNA said it’s received support from other local unions who are carefully watching how this plays out.
“It’s the power of the union, the working person. You have to realize, if that happens to the nurses, they can do it to anybody else in the state. They can do it across the nation. So there’s a lot of eyes on what’s happening and watching this,’ said Agas But in the long scheme of things, it’s like really. Did they really have to do this?”
Negotiations are expected to continue through the weekend.