UPW Files for Injunction to Prevent Privatization of Hospitals

News Release from UPW August 6, 2015

HONOLULU-The United Public Workers (UPW) union has filed a complaint in federal court seeking an injunction to prevent the State of Hawaii from implementing House Bill 1075. which allows the privatization of state hospitals.

The UPW complaint alleges that the legislation violates the contract clause of the United States Constitution by impairing the contract between UPW and the State.

The contract clause prevents the government from abrogating its contracts. "Privatization of our state hospitals would have a profound effect on the communities they were originally intended to serve," said Dayton Nakanelua, UPW state director.

"We're already seeing how layoffs at several of our hospitals are not only affecting those who work there but also patients and their families, as well as diminishing our ability to care for an aging population in the future. We have to keep in mind that health care is about people, and people should be the number one priority," he said.

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Reality: Legislative Report: Convert HHSC to non-profit, dump civil service (full text)

UPW: UPW Files for Injunction to Prevent Privatization of Hospitals

SA: "Wesley Lo, chief executive officer of Maui Memorial, said Thursday he is expecting proposals from both Hawaii Pacific Health and Kaiser on Aug. 24 and was caught by surprise by the lawsuit."

WHT: Union sues to prevent hospital privatization

MN: UPW files lawsuit to Block Hospital Privatization 

CN: State Workers Fight Hospital Privatizations

LINK: HB1075