Teamsters: Health workers (More than 1,100 ) approve contracts

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Honolulu Advertiser

More than 1,100 workers at Hawai'i Medical Center, Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children, The Queen's Medical Center and St. Francis Community Health Services have ratified new contracts with wage increases and other benefits, the Teamsters announced yesterday.

"We are pleased to have achieved settlements with the employers in an expeditious manner," said Ron Kozuma, president of Hawai'i Teamsters, Local 996. "The new contracts are a reflection of the value our members provide to the healthcare industry."

The contracts cover nurses, nursing assistants, patient care technicians, food service workers, supply clerks, storeroom employees, housekeeping personnel, groundskeepers and others.

Union members at Queen's got the biggest wage increase — 18 percent over three years. The contract, ratified July 6, also includes increases to tuition reimbursement.

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