Kaiser Strike: Day 1
Before the strike, Kaiser workers volunteered to speak with the media and outreach to the community to let people know why we are striking: because Kaiser is failing workers, failing patients, and failing the community.
Urgent care clinic closures and mass layoffs overloaded our workers and hurt our patients. Kaiser is also trying to take away our guaranteed pensions. Our pensions are money spent here, taxes paid here, a better life here.
Help us continue to spread the word to the community. Post the messages below and your photos from the strike on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Use the hashtag #KaiserStrike:
- .@kpthrive used to take care of Hawaii. Now Kaiser just takes from Hawaii. Where’s the aloha? #KaiserStrike
- .@kpthrive is taking pensions from local people who work here. Charging more to local people who go there #KaiserStrike
- .@kpthrive makes $11mil a day. Every day. Nuf already! #KaiserStrike
Getting the word out
Hawaii Public Radio’s “The Conversation”
Kaiser Moanalua lab assistant Gerald Penaflor was on Hawaii Public Radio to inform the community about our strike. “Strikes are meant to give a red flag to the community: there’s a problem with this establishment. In this case, it’s Kaiser,” said Gerald.
Kaiser workers on Hawaii News Now
Gerald Penaflor and Shan Simpliciano (Kaiser Moanalua CNA) spoke to Howard Dicus on Hawaii News Now Sunrise. “We see a trend, unfortunately, in healthcare in Kaiser where the services are being cut in order to save money, yet they’ve been very profitable.” – Gerald. “United we stand, divided we fall!” – Shan.
Outreaching to the community
Kaiser Honolulu medical assistant Cindy Aban spoke at the Ala Moana/Kakaako Neighborhood Board meeting about why we’re striking to stand up for our patients. The Board Chair thanked us and said this is the first time someone spoke to them about an upcoming demonstration!
View a PDF version of today’s bulletin here.