(ABOVE VIDEO) Kaiser Local 5 members on strike in Hilo. We spoke to Keokilani Keliikuli-Teixeira on camera about the demonstration. Video by David Corrigan, Voice of Sherry Bracken.

NEWS BRIEFS

• Kaiser Local 5 members are wrapping up a six day strike. The demonstration began on Monday, Feb. 2 and ends Saturday, Feb. 7. The strike affects about 1,900 workers.
• Local 5 has been negotiating a contract for 2 ½ years, the union says. Local 5 is unhappy with the proposed wage increases; they are the lowest in the country, the union says. Local 5 also says Kaiser wants to eliminate guaranteed pensions for new employees, and has refused to pay full retroactive pay.
• Two clinics on Hawaii Island had to close for the week due to the strike, in South Kona and Waimea. Hilo and North Kona remained open. Across the state, ten Kaiser clinics had to close, it was reported.

HILO, Hawaii – Striking Local 5 union workers could be seen picketing outside the Kaiser Permanente facility in Hilo along Wainuenue Avenue this week. The strike is set to last for six days and involves 1,900 Kaiser receptionists, medical assistants and certified nurses aides.

In a statement about the strike, Kaiser Permanente said they deeply regret any inconvenience caused by Local 5’s action and assure patients and members that they have taken the necessary steps to minimize disruption.