By The Maui News

Over the Labor Day weekend, an overwhelming majority of Kapi’olani’s nurses voted to authorize a strike because of unfair labor practices and set a date for the strike. Today, the Hawai’i Nurses’ Association (HNA) provided the required 10-day notice to Kapi’olani’s hospital management that the nurses will go on strike all day on Friday, Sept. 13.

“With a straight face, Kapi’olani’s management publicly claims they value their nurses and want to reach an agreement, but their actions belie their words,” said Rosalee Agas-Yuu, HNA president. “Contrary to what they say publicly, they have created a culture of retaliation, intimidation and bullying that has adversely impacted open communications and impeded negotiations. Based on this ongoing pattern of unfair labor practices, the nurses are not confident our next scheduled negotiations session this Thursday will be any different.”

“Women who may be superstitious and concerned about ominous events on Friday the 13th may way want to reconsider their plans about giving birth or seeing their doctor at Kapi’olani Medical Center for Women and Children on that day,” a press release announcing the strike said.