My Firsthand Account from the Front Lines

On September 13, 2024, over 600 nurses at Kapi’olani Medical Center for Women and Children in Honolulu, Hawaii went on a one-day strike. According to the nurses union, Hawaii Nurses Association/OPEIU Local 50, the strike was due to ongoing retaliation and bullying after months of reporting unsafe staffing conditions at the hospital. I traveled to Hawaii to support the striking nurses and witnessed the strike and lockout. 

Shortly after delivering a ten-day advance strike notice, the hospital announced an indefinite lockout of the nurses until they agreed to the proposed agreement. This means the nurses are not permitted to return to work following the strike. The nursing union has stated the lockout was initiated in response to nurses striking against unfair labor practices (ULP) such as retaliation for filling out unsafe staffing forms. The hospital contends the strike was an economic-only strike, not a ULP strike, and therefore the lockout is legal. 

• ULP strikes are considered legally protected, meaning the striking workers’ jobs are guaranteed upon return to work. 
• Economic-only strikes are not considered legally protected. 
• The union has appealed to the National Labor Relations Board for an injunction and is currently awaiting the decision. This is the first lockout by an employer in Hawaii in 22 years. 

@the.nurse.erica I feel like I witnessed history. Truly inspiring! #fyp #foryoupage #foryou #nurse #nursesoftiktok #thenurseerica #leader #braveheart ♬ original sound – TheNurseErica

Following the one-day strike, nurses attempted to return to work on September 14th for their scheduled shift. They were met outside by hospital personnel who read a prepared statement, stating in part, “Kapi’olani notified HNA nurses that the lockout would occur at 0700 today and that the nurses would not be allowed to work until further notice. I’m asking you respectfully to leave the property.” The nurses peacefully exited the hospital property. 

@the.nurse.erica This is how it went down. #fyp #foryoupage #foryou #nurse #nursesoftiktok #thenurseerica ♬ original sound – TheNurseErica

I witnessed nurses in tears as the reality of being without a job and the threat of losing health insurance began to sink in. I was able to speak with many nurses and hear their individual stories. It is clear to me that these nurses care deeply about their patients and community. Kapi’olani Medical Center is the only specialty women’s and children’s hospital for the state and many surrounding areas. It plays a crucial role in the healthcare of Hawaii’s children and families. 

Today, 9/20/2024, marks day number seven of the lockout. The nurses and the union continue to hold daily actions including vigils, demonstrations, and a march from the State Capital to Hawaii Pacific Health headquarters. They have been joined in solidarity with nurses from area hospitals, unions, and community leaders.