On Lanai, impacts of strike spill over to other services
Situation highlights struggle that comes with island’s limited health worker pool
United Public Workers union members Kealohi Kaho‘ohalahala, Jovita Raqueno, Lorina Amby and Blair Ambe pose for a photo while picketing on Lanai. They along with fellow union members on Maui have been on strike at Maui Health facilities since Feb. 22. Photo courtesy Blaire Ambe
UPW members Kealohi Kaho‘ohalahala and Blair Ambe pose for a photo with Lanai Community Hospital in the background. Photo courtesy Blaire Ambe
United Public Workers union members Kealohi Kaho‘ohalahala, Jovita Raqueno, Lorina Amby and Blair Ambe pose for a photo while picketing on Lanai. They along with fellow union members on Maui have been on strike at Maui Health facilities since Feb. 22. Photo courtesy Blaire Ambe
UPW members Kealohi Kaho‘ohalahala and Blair Ambe pose for a photo with Lanai Community Hospital in the background. Photo courtesy Blaire Ambe
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For more than a month now, the head of a nonprofit home health care agency on Lanai has pushed aside administrative duties to plug the gaps left by nurses who are now working extra hours at the island's only hospital during a strike by United Public Workers union members.
Some of the nurses who work at Lanai Community Hospital also hold a second job with the nonprofit Lana'i Kina'ole, but now they're having to put in more hours at their primary job as the strike enters its sixth week.
Program Administrator Valerie Janikowski said that she isn't blaming or faulting anyone for the fact that she's had to cover more nursing duties, but she points out that the situation spotlights how a small island like Lanai has to overcome more obstacles than larger communities due to a smaller pool of health care workers. Even though the hospital nurses may be used sparingly with the nonprofit, their absence does create gaps.
"So having them not available is impactful," she said on Wednesday afternoon. But, she added, "I understand their position, they need to be at their primary post."
"I get that 100 percent."
Members of UPW, the union that represents nearly 500 workers at Maui Health facilities, including 13 workers at Lanai Community Hospital, have been on strike since Feb. 22. Maui Health also operates Kula Hospital and Maui Memorial Medical Center, where workers have been actively picketing at the entrance.
UPW members include respiratory therapists, nurses' aides, housekeepers, cooks and other workers. Pay and treatment of longtime workers have been at the root of the union's complaints.
The union is seeking longevity or loyalty pay for those who have been with the hospital prior to, during and after the transition of the three former quasi-public hospitals' operations to Maui Health in July 2017.
Members say they want equal pay as some who have worked more than 20 years at the hospital are making lower wages than new hires that they have to train.
Maui Health made an offer two weeks ago that included pay raises and bonuses for longtime employees, but union members voted down the proposed agreement, saying it still wouldn't put the workers on par with other hospitals.
Both sides gave conflicting information about when talks would resume--UPW said negotiations are set for Friday, while Maui Health said no talks are scheduled.
Union members on Lanai include nurses' aides, cooks, maintenance workers, groundskeepers and housekeepers. All 13 members went on strike when it initially began, but some have elected to go back to work, so there are now nine actively striking members, the union said.
One of the workers still on strike is nurses' aide Blair Ambe, who works in long-term care at the hospital.
She said via phone from the picket line Wednesday afternoon that the community "has been so kind," even dropping off food and water for them.
She also noted that fellow nonunion co-workers are asking when the striking employees are coming back to work.
"They know our routine" at the hospital, Ambe said. "We are like family."
While some members have returned to work as they need to meet financial obligations, Ambe said she is not going to leave the picket line even though this is her only job. She said she would have wasted her time on the line if she returns to work.
"We are standing strong," she said.
In an email, Maui Health said it is "currently evaluating our available options to move forward to a successful outcome."
As for Lanai Hospital, Maui Health said that its emergency department remains open 24 hours, seven days a week for residents and visitors, and outpatient appointments are unaffected by the strike.
A few contingent staff have been brought in to assist. Maui Health also noted the return of some UPW-represented members.
"Throughout the strike, our caregivers at LCH continue to work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure a safe and clean environment for out patients, visitors, employees and providers," a spokesperson said.
Maui County Council Member Gabe Johnson, who holds the Lanai residency seat, introduced a resolution that passed at the council's March 10 meeting which supports Maui Health workers on strike. He said the essential workers "deserve better."
The resolution does not have the force or effect of law, but many union workers testified in support.
Despite the trickle-down effects of the strike at Lana'i Kina'ole, Janikowski said they will continue to provide visits to kupuna even amid the lack of staffing. Janikowski, who is a registered nurse, said the nurses just may not be ones that most clients are used to seeing.
"One of the patients was asking about one nurse, when is he coming back," she said. "They miss them."
* Staff Writer Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.