Hawaii Nurses Union Joins Forces with AFT to Strengthen Healthcare Advocacy

HONOLULU—The Hawaii Nurses and Healthcare Professionals union (HNHP), representing 1,500 healthcare workers at Kaiser facilities throughout Hawaii, has officially affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) following a unanimous vote by the AFT executive council. This decision integrates HNHP into the powerful 1.8 million-member national union.

By joining the AFT, HNHP will gain access to a broad array of resources and support, crucial for addressing policy issues and advancing professional goals. The affiliation promises enhanced organizing capabilities, legal assistance, research, communications, and expertise in OSHA standards, as well as political and legislative advocacy.

This move comes after HNHP received overwhelming support for the affiliation from both its elected board and general membership, having initially approached the AFT earlier this year to explore a national agreement.

HNHP President Teri Carvalho expressed optimism about the affiliation: “The decision to affiliate with the AFT marks a new chapter for our union, the HNHP, that builds on our strength, expands our reach and affirms our shared belief that we will be stronger together. We have already seen what is possible when we work together, with the recent historic first HNHP strike, partnering on our campaign for safe patient staffing laws here in Hawaii, and collaboration and guidance on recent bargaining proposals that have led to successful tentative agreements for HNHP’s members.”

Carvalho emphasized the commitment to the partnership, highlighting the benefit of having the backing of the AFT's extensive resources and national influence in their efforts to ensure quality care and fair treatment for healthcare professionals in Hawaii.

The AFT stands as the fastest growing healthcare union in the United States, boasting over 250,000 members. It is the second-largest national nurses union and the largest union of professionals within the AFL-CIO. The organization has seen over 35 new local and independent unions choose to affiliate this year. In Hawaii, the AFT already represents 3,000 faculty members, including nurse educators at the University of Hawaii, through the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly (UHPA-AFT), following an affiliation vote in 2023.

AFT President Randi Weingarten celebrated the new alliance: “This historic affiliation shows we are truly stronger together. HNHP members have been on the frontlines in their fight for patient care, dignity, voice and fair pay, and we are so proud to have their backs. We will bring the full force and expertise of our growing national union to their battle for safe staffing in the state Legislature, strengthen their connection to Kaiser workers on the West Coast, and help them bargain the contracts they need and deserve.”

Weingarten underscored the increasing recognition of the AFT’s value among workers, as more join the union to advocate for public services, protect rights, strengthen educational systems, and secure living wages, healthcare, and retirement benefits.

HNHP is actively partnering with the AFT to push for a safe staffing bill in Hawaii, similar to initiatives in Oregon, Washington, and Connecticut. This includes a close collaboration with Kaiser workers represented by the Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals (OFNHP-AFT), with both unions having recently participated in a strike against Kaiser over contract disputes, citing executive compensation as a point of contention.

As part of the AFT, HNHP members will benefit from a wide range of services and protections. These include life insurance, disability and death benefits, ID theft protection, automobile services, and professional liability coverage. Members also gain access to scholarships, trauma counseling, and various discounts on products and services.

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The AFT represents 1.8 million pre-K through 12th-grade teachers; paraprofessionals and other school-related personnel; higher education faculty and professional staff; federal, state and local government employees; nurses and healthcare workers; and early childhood educators.

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