STRIKES

What is a Strike?

A strike is the legal withholding of one’s labor in an attempt to bring economic pressure to bear on the employer. This is the Union's self help remedy. No one can be fired for legally striking. To OPEIU members a strike means sacrifice for themselves and their families and is not entered into frivolously.

When can a Union strike?

There is a system for negotiation and dispute resolution to give both sides ample opportunity to resolve differences. These steps are:

  • Voluntary Negotiations - The parties first meet voluntarily to negotiate a contract. If the parties cannot reach an agreement voluntarily a request can be made for mediated negotiations.
  • Mediated Negotiations - The NLRB assigns a mediator to the negotiations. The mediator's main duty is to facilitate progress during the negotiations. When progress between the parties can no longer be achieved (parties are at impasse) the mediator is empowered to release the parties to exercise self-help measures.

Who calls a strike?

It is a myth that union leadership calls strikes. Only the employees involved can make the decision to go on strike; and only then by a majority vote as determined by the members themselves. Union members know that the decision to strike has economic impacts on both the employees and the employer.

How frequent are strikes?

Not frequent at all. In 99 percent of all OPEIU contract negotiations agreements are reached without a strike.

Are strikes really necessary?

No, the OPEIU believes that if employees and management discuss issues in an atmosphere of mutual respect and concern strikes should not occur. Also, there are many strategies that can be implemented short of a strike to force management to negotiate in good faith.

***PLEASE CLICK ON THE "INQUIRY FORM" LINK UNDER THE ORGANIZING TAB TO SUBMIT ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE REGARDING ORGANIZING***


MAIN OFFICE:

T: 808-531-1628
F: 808-524-2760
E: hnamembers@hinurse.org
1600 Ala Moana Boulevard Suite 100
Honolulu, Hawaii 96815

PARKING IS AVAILABLE ON-SITE


President
Rosalee Agas-Yuu
Vice President
Joan Craft
Secretary
Cheryl Lynn Miller
Treasurer
Paulette Vasu

Membership Department

(808) 531-1628
hnamembers@hinurse.org



Labor Relations Specialists

Aina Iglesias
(808) 531-1628
aiglesias@hinurse.org

Mandy Vega
(808) 599-0127
avega@hinurse.org

Yoko Liriano
(808) 561-5061
yliriano@hinurse.org

Bryant de Venecia
808-372-0255
bdevenecia@hinurse.org

Alex Miller
808-460-3102
amiller@hinurse.org

Clinical Nurse Consultant
Daryl Hokoana
(808) 599‐0024
dhokoana@hinurse.org