State Rep. Kim Coco Iwamoto and House candidate Ikaika Hussey were among ten people arrested for blocking a bus transporting replacement nurses to Kapiolani Medical Center in Hawaii. The nurses have been locked out since last November, demanding higher wages, improved working conditions, and sustainable jobs. The protesters were arrested for obstruction and released on bail.
Following the one-day strike by nurses on September 13, Kapiolani locked them out until they accept the hospital’s contract offer. The hospital claims to offer competitive wages and benefits, along with innovative staffing solutions. However, the union argues that patient care has been compromised with replacement nurses.
The demonstration was fueled by the recent death of a 4-year-old girl with cerebral palsy, with her parents citing inadequate care due to the staffing situation. The protesters, including community leaders, called for an end to the lockout and the return of veteran nurses for quality care.
The Hawaii Nurses Association president expressed concerns about the impact of the lockout on patients and families. The hospital and the union have been in daily negotiations since last week to resolve the ongoing labor dispute. The protesters demand an end to the lockout and accuse the hospital of prioritizing financial interests over patient safety.
Source
Photo credit spectrumlocalnews.com
