News

During the week of November 2, HGEA Executive Director Randy Perreira hosted representatives from the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions at Stop Work Informational Meetings at Lanai Community Hospital, Maui Memorial Medical Center and Kula Hospital to share information and answer member questions.

Some key messages from the meetings:

• The process to allow Kaiser Permanente to be the private operator is ongoing between the state of Hawaii and Kaiser 
• Governor David Ige has indicated that an agreement should be reached by December 31, 2015  
• However, even after an agreement is reached, details will still need to be hashed out - some requiring legislation. Because of that, HGEA anticipates the turnover to the private operator is more likely sometime between March and July of 2016
• Please note that these dates are estimates at this time, as the process has not been finalized
• HGEA/AFSCME is part of the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions 
• E.D. Perreira met with Kaiser Permanente leadership on Friday as scheduled; they are hopeful to maintain the above stated timelines

Executive Director Perreira introduced Hal Ruddick, Executive Director of the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions; and Ken Deitz RN, President of United Nurses Association California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP).

Ruddick and Deitz explained the history, strength and benefits of the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions, AFL-CIO, which represents 107,000 Kaiser employees across 28 locals.

Key messages:

• Kaiser would recognize current unions 
• HGEA as part of AFSCME is a member of the coalition
• A contract for those employees transitioning to Kaiser would have to be bargained for on local issues, and that contract then could connect with the national contract
• The coalition bargains nationally every three years