Unionized hospital workers began striking in front of Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children at 7 a.m. Friday, calling for a fair contract after talks stalled.

The Hawaii Teamsters & Allied Workers, Local 996, which represents about 300 staff members at Kapi‘olani, including nurse aides, surgical techs, dietary workers, cooks, housekeepers and others, said the strike will take place round-the-clock, with no specified end date.

Teamsters President Kevin Holu said these front-line workers have endured years of being overworked, understaffed, and underpaid — and that even during the pandemic, when they risked their health to serve patients, they received no respect and little recognition.

The contract for the workers expired at the end of June.

“Basically we’re fighting for bett

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