Tentative deal reached between Kapiolani Medical Center, nurses

HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - The nurses’ union and Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children have reached a tentative deal in their ongoing contract negotiations.

“Contract negotiations are never easy, and we greatly appreciate the dedication and commitment of the negotiating committees to come together and agree on a contract that is fair and sustainable,” Kapiolani CEO Martha Smith said, in a statement issued Thursday.

“This tentative agreement continues to provide our nurses with highly-competitive wages and benefits while also addressing the very real long-term economic challenges facing our industry today.”

Nurses are set to vote on whether to ratify the tentative agreement on Jan. 20 and Jan. 21.

This deal averts a potential strike by nurses after they voted in favor of one last week. Click here to read more.

Specifics on the deal were limited, but a hospital spokesperson shared highlight of the agreement Wednesday night. It includes:

Wage increases of 2% in years one and two of the contract, and 3% in year three.
For double or family health care coverage, no change in health care premium costs for nurses in year one and Kapiolani will continue to pay 84%. In years two and three, Kapiolani will pay 82% of the premium cost.
Kapiolani will continue to pay 100% of the health care premium cost for single coverage.
The tentative agreement also addresses nurses’ PPE and safety concerns.

“After about 12 hours of mediation today a tentative agreement was reached. We feel this is a fair agreement and will be taking to the members for a ratification vote next week,” Daniel Ross, president of the Hawai’i Nurses’ Association OPEIU Local 50, said.

This story will be updated with new details when they become available.