Wilcox Medical Center nurses to hold 3-day strike, claiming unfair labor practices

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Wilcox Medical Center nurses “overwhelmingly” voted in favor of a strike over unfair labor practices, the Hawaii Nurses’ Association announced Thursday.

This comes just days after nurses at both the Punchbowl and West Oahu campuses of The Queen’s Medical Center, which HNA also represents, authorized a vote to strike for the same reason.

More than 76% of 159 nurses voted in favor of authorizing the strike. The voting period began on Dec. 29 and concluded Thursday at 8 p.m.

The team of Wilcox nurses will begin their strike on Jan. 14 and continue through Jan. 17.

Meanwhile, 1,900 Queen’s Medical Center nurses will hold a three-day strike beginning on Jan. 13.

According to HNA, the small hospital in Lihue has “a big rift between its nursing staff and management” and many nurses voted to “show their disdain for the rampant unfair labor practices.”

“The voting results at Wilcox send a strong message to management. The nurses are saying, ‘Enough already. Itʻs time to move forward and do what’s right for the people of Kauai,ʻ” said Rosalee Agas-Yuu, HNA president. “The nurses are fighting for safer nurse-to-patient staffing to deliver good care for patients and are being put through hell because of their commitment to professionalism.”

The union said it has filed a number of complaints against Wilcox with the National Labor Relations Board for “unlawfully interfering with the rights of employees who request union representation.”

They also claim that nurses faced harassment, discrimination and retaliation by management for taking part in contract negotiations.

“HPH continues to disrespect its nurses by forcing us to work in unsafe staffing conditions. Ultimately, the people who suffer the most are our patients. This decision to strike is not being taken lightly. We have to make the difficult choice to stand up to the bullies in HPH administration for what is right for our communities and our families,” said Jessi Dettle, RN, a Wilcox nurse. “Our island is changing and growing, and the current practices at Wilcox do not address the older and sicker population coming through our ER, OR and into the inpatient units.”

In response to the strike announcement, Wilcox Medical Center issued a statement saying, “We are extremely disappointed by HNA’s decision to strike as we are so close to reaching an agreement...Our responsibility is to take care of our community and the people of Kauai who depend on us. Wilcox will remain open and serve our patients as we always have.”

“For months, we have expressed to HNA that we are willing to negotiate in person as often as possible, for as long as it takes. As we are close to reaching an agreement, we’ve told HNA that we are willing to meet even before our next scheduled negotiations on Jan. 9 and 10,” said Jen Chahanovich, Wilcox president and CEO. “We have based many of our proposals on the contract HNA accepted at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children, with some adjustments for the unique needs of Kauai.”

Wilcox nurses held an informational picket in October but contract talks have been unsuccessful.

Negotiations began with Wilcox Medical Center on May 6, 2024. The nurses have been without a contract since Aug. 31.

Copyright 2025 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.