Kaiser Permanante Ratifies New Three-Year Contract

Kaiser on Maui, photo by Wendy Osher.

After three years of contract bargaining, Kaiser Permanente employees represented by UNITE HERE! Local 5 voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new three-year collective bargaining agreement.

The agreement retains full pension coverage with no cuts to benefits for 1,900 employees at 22 facilities throughout Hawai‘i and provides excellent pay increases, adds significant new benefits, preserves options on medical coverage for both active and retired workers, and provides the opportunity to work in partnership.

“We’re pleased to reach a fair agreement with Local 5 on behalf of our employees,” said Jean Melnikoff, vice president of human resources at Kaiser Permanente. “This agreement helps Kaiser Permanente to remain sustainable in the long-term and stay affordable for our members and customers. It also ensures that our employees will continue to receive highly competitive wages and benefits so that we can attract and retain the best people to care for our members and patients.”

“After a difficult three-year contract dispute, both union members and the management team are highly motivated to work together and resolve issues,” said Eric Gill, the head of Local 5. “All of us care deeply about providing the quality care our patients need, and this will help us work more effectively together to achieve that goal.”

For the latest updates on negotiations, go online.

For more information about UNITE HERE! Local 5, visit www.unitehere5.org.