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The Latest News
A Letter from Hanabusa Last updated on April 3, 2010
The following is a personal note sent from the office of Colleen Hanabusa to the Unite Here! Local 5 offices expressing her solidarity with the plight of the workers at Kaiser. Click on the image of the letter below to see the PDF.
Civil Disobedience Action Against Kaiser on Thursday, Feb 4 Last updated on April 3, 2010
Local 5 Kaiser members once again showed how determined they are to end the second-class treatment of Hawaii workers, this time by staging a hard hitting rally which was culminated by a civil disobedience action. The Fight the Disrespect rally brought out hundreds of Kaiser and hotel workers as well as community, political and labor movement support.
“It was amazing. When those people sat in the driveway and locked arms, refusing to move, I could not help but feel how powerful our fight has become. I am determined to match their determination so that we find justice at Kaiser,” says Donald Yonamine of Moanalua engineering.
“We can and will win a fair contract and end the disrespect if we stand united. I cannot believe Kaiser thinks it is okay to offer job security to all other regions except Hawaii. We deserve better than this,” says Cindy Aban, medical assistant at Honolulu Clinic.
“The level of disrespect Kaiser is showing us is astounding. First, the leadership never comes to negotiations, then they send misleading letters, including one that tries to get people to quit the Union, and now they refuse to give the Union important information regarding asbestos exposure to workers even though they legally are supposed to. We need to speak loud and clear that the disrespect must stop!,” says Joyce Griffin of Regional.
Wailuku medical assistant Mona-Lisa Kaai flew over to Oahu to be part of the action. “I just had to come to Oahu to show my support at this rally. This contract and job security is that important to my family. I want to work side by side with my co-workers to serve our patients for a long time. Kaiser needs to sign an agreement not to use subcontractors to do our work.”
VIDEO: Kaiser Strike on Maui Last updated on April 3, 2010
Maui Workers Stand Strong! Last updated on April 3, 2010
Over 90% of the workers at the Wailuku and Maui Lani clinics walk out for one day to fight the second-class treatment of Hawaii Kaiser workers.
› The Maui News: Kaiser union workers rally over job security
A Letter from Congresswoman Mazie Hirono Last updated on January 25, 2010
The following is a personal note sent from the office of Congresswoman Mazie Hirono to the Unite Here! Local 5 offices expressing her solidarity with the plight of the workers at Kaiser. Click on the image of the letter below to see the PDF.
Kaiser Strike: Workers Stand in Unity Last updated on April 3, 2010
A Letter from Congressman Neil Abercrombie Last updated on January 16, 2010
The following is a personal note sent from the office of Congressman Neil Abercrombie to the Unite Here! Local 5 offices expressing his complete solidarity with the plight of the workers at Kaiser. Click on the image of the letter below to see the PDF.
Elected Leaders Back Kaiser Workers’ Fight to Maintain Quality Jobs in Hawaii Last updated on January 25, 2010
WHY WE STRIKE: Local 5 Members Fight for Their Future Last updated on January 11, 2010
Kaiser Workers Spread the Word to Concertgoers: Kaiser is Unfair Last updated on January 11, 2010
Genie Cachola of Kaiser Moanalua Neurology who helped leaflet a Na Leo concert presented by Kaiser says, “I find it sad that even though we have worked so hard to put a positive face on Kaiser and won awards for our care and service, Kaiser still refuses to protect our future. The relationships frontline workers have with our patients is the most valuable asset Kaiser has but they don’t seem to value it with their insulting proposals.”
After Kaiser workers testify against subcontracting, State panel votes to recommend rejection of subcontracted Kaiser dialysis facilities! Last updated on December 16, 2009
Recently, Local 5 found out about Kaiser’s plan to bring a new subcontractor into Maui. Kaiser’s “Certificate of Need” application to the state would allow it to build new dialysis facilities in Wailuku and Lahaina — even though the current dialysis facilities, run by Liberty Dialysis, still have room for more patients. Instead of running the facilities itself, Kaiser wants to subcontract the management to a company called DaVita. DaVita is:
- A multi-million-dollar for-profit subcontractor whose CEO made $24.24 million last year, according to Forbes.com.
- Under several inquiries by the federal government, although no proceedings had been initiated against the company by the federal government as of September 30, 2009.
- Not right for Hawaii.
We have submitted testimony (read the testimony PDF here) and testified at hearings against Kaiser’s plan. We are saying “YES” to quality health care on Maui by saying “NO” to more subcontracting at Kaiser, and by saying “NO” to DaVita! In the most recent hearing on Friday, December 11, the Certificate of Need Review Panel voted to disapprove of Kaiser’s plan. You can read all about it in the Maui News.
Kaiser workers in Maui sign-waving about DaVita before the December 11 hearing.
Kaiser worker, Local 5 member, and former State Representative Kamao Tanaka testifies before the Certificate of Need Review Panel.
Kaiser Spot: We Will Defend Ourselves! Last updated on December 4, 2009
‘Button Day’ Shows Worker Solidarity Last updated on November 20, 2009
On November 17, 2009 Local 5 Kaiser members around the state exercised their rights.
Over 90% of all Local 5 Kaiser workers at 21 different locations participated in “button up day”. The button proclaimed that we are all united behind the goal of defending our medical and defending our jobs.
At Moanalua Medical Center the company tried to deny workers their right to union representation and even attempted to get the Police to escort our representatives off property. Many workers were angered by this action and were happy when the Police rightfully decided not to remove the Union representatives.
You have a right to see your Union representatives under our contract, page 67. Simply talking to your representative, even while on the clock, does not constitute a disruption of work.
Button day also included a mass delegation to hospital administration. Over 100 people participated, including community leaders and hotel workers. Local 5 hotel workers delivered a petition of over 1100 signatures urging a fair settlement. Community leaders asked that Kaiser move quickly to settle the contract, making sure that current workers have their jobs protected from subcontracting and NUNEs have a fair and equal process to join the Union. They also thanked Kaiser workers for the great care they deliver to the community.
Congratulations on standing up for your rights.
Do you have pictures to share with us? Please send them to us! You can email us your digital photos at networking@unitehere5.org and we’ll add them to our slideshow with your name. Thanks!
Kaiser Video Last updated on December 4, 2009
Kaiser Lab Workers Deserve Equal Treatment Last updated on October 23, 2009
Why does Kaiser think it is OK to provide mainland Kaiser workers a simple and fair process to join a union, and in Hawaii offer a second-rate proposal for a process?
A contingent of proud Kaiser lab workers want equal rights with mainland Kaiser workers when it comes to a fair process to join a union. Check out the flier, and click for a larger version (PDF):
Pass REAL Health Care Reform Last updated on October 14, 2009
Unite Here! has co-sponsored the publishing of this advertisement, an open letter urging the US Senate to consider what’s really at stake in the health care debate.
Click the image below to see a larger version and read our letter. You can also download the letter as a PDF.
This Week’s Meeting & Photos from Last Week’s Rally! Last updated on October 13, 2009
We have a round negotiations happening tomorrow, Wednesday, October 14, 2009, at the Local 5 offices! You know the place: 1516 South King St.; the parking lot entrance is off of Young Street. See you at 6pm!
Here are a few pictures of our trusty and gracious retirees helping us out at last week’s rally. Thanks again, all!
Community Leaders Stand Behind Local 5 Kaiser Workers Last updated on November 20, 2009
An important step forward today as we received a community pledge of support. The pledge can be downloaded here (PDF) and its full text is reproduced below. The pledge was hand-delivered to Kaiser Hawaii President Janet Liang by a delegation of community members (scroll down for a photo!).
As leaders in Hawaii’s community we are committed to fairness, honest relationships, and the common good.
We therefore affirm our deep and committed support of the members of UNITE HERE Local 5 and the nearly 1,800 health care workers employed through Kaiser Permanente Hawaii.
We are proud of these union workers and their commitment to serving the health care needs of the people of Hawaii. We stand with these workers at this time and embrace their cause as our own.
We believe job security, a greater voice on the job, safe workloads, and the rights of workers to organize are among the standards critical for equipping front-line healthcare workers with the necessary tools for delivering quality patient care for our community.
Hawaii’s community is behind our workers. Their struggle is our struggle. They are our neighbors, our family and our friends.
We call on Kaiser Permanente Hawaii to settle a fair contract now.
Tambry R. Young, Co-Chair
Family Equality Coalition
Charlene Cuaresma, President
Filipino Coalition for Solidarity
Sybil K. Lopez
Community Supporter – Molokai
Richard Port, Former Chairman
Democratic Party of Hawaii
Marti Townsend, Program Director
KAHEA: The Hawaiian-Environmental Alliance
Nancy Aleck, Executive Director
Hawaii People’ s Fund
Agnes Malate, Vice-Chair
Filipinos for Affirmative Action
Eri Oura, Member & Co-Chair
Collective for Equality, Justice and Empowerment
Raymund Liongson, PhD.
Philippine Studies Program-Leeward Comm. College
Dr. Amy Agbayani, Vice-Chair
Nat’l Federation of Filipino American Assoc., Region 12
Joy Kobashigawa Lewis
Labor Caucus, Democratic Party of Hawaii
Deanna Espinas
Community Supporter
Jake Manegdeg, President
Fil-American Citizens League
Kyle Kajihiro, Program Director
American Friends Service Committee, Hawai’i Area
Steve Dinion, President
Pride at Work – Hawaii
Helena Manzano, Vice-President
Filipino Coalition for Solidarity
A community delegation preparing to enter President Janet Liang’s office to deliver their message.
CORRECTION: Eri Oura is a member/co-chair of the Collective for Equality, Justice and Empowerment; not the President. We have corrected the post, though the flier still reflects this error.
Our Growing Support Network Welcomes HSTA! Last updated on October 7, 2009
We’re proud to announce the addition of the Hawaii State Teacher Association to our list of supporters in the Kaiser campaign. Mahalo to them and to all of our other supporters: