FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MARCH 25, 2026
Nearly 2,000 Kaiser workers ratify new contract after nearly a year of negotiations
*Photos available for download here courtesy of UNITE HERE Local 5*
HONOLULU, HI – Today, nearly 2,000 Kaiser workers represented by UNITE HERE Local 5 (Local 5) voted 97% YES to ratify a new contract after nearly a year of negotiations. Local 5 members previously went on a 5-day strike at Kaiser locations across Hawai‘i in October 2025, alongside about 44,000 more Kaiser workers in the Alliance of Healthcare Unions.
Highlights of the new agreement include:
- 21.5% wage increases over four years
- More input when it comes to staffing
- A new training fund
- Longevity pay after 7 years of service
- Introduction of a Kaiser Hawai‘i minimum wage
- Groundbreaking language on AI and Technology
“It’s been a long and difficult process, but I’m proud of our bargaining committee and fellow members for standing strong,” said Melanie Nakoa, Cashier Clerk at Lahaina Clinic, 17 years of service. “Together, we made sure that we and our patients didn’t get left behind as Kaiser continues to grow and we won big improvements that include for the first time ever, longevity pay and a new minimum wage for our members.”
“We’re proud that we were able to deliver, alongside our Alliance Union partners, a new successor agreement that begins to address the critical issues facing Hawai‘i’s frontline healthcare workers,” said Cade Watanabe, Financial Secretary-Treasurer. “With an improved voice on staffing, AI & new technology, and the ability to now offer additional new benefits such as longevity steps and access to new training programs, we’ll be able to enhance our efforts to recruit and retain workers in one of Hawai‘i’s most critical industries while continuing to deliver the quality patient care that Kaiser prides itself on.”
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About UNITE HERE Local 5
Local 5 represents 10,000 workers throughout Hawai‘i who work in the hospitality, health care and food service industries and is an affiliate of UNITE HERE, an international union that represents over 250,000 workers throughout the U.S. and Canada. For more information, visit www.unitehere5.org.
About the Alliance of Healthcare Unions
The Alliance of Healthcare Unions (Alliance) is a federation of 23 local unions representing over 62,000 Kaiser Permanente employees. The Alliance includes locals of AFSCME, UFCW, USW, IBT, KPNAA, IUOE, OFNHP (AFT), UNITE HERE, ILWU, and HNHP. Our members work in hundreds of job classifications in every geographic area where Kaiser Permanente has a presence.