HONOLULU (KHON2) -- Even though Governor Josh Green is not legally allowed to intervene in a private dispute, he is open to helping mediate contract negotiations between Kapiolani Medical Center and its nurses.
On Saturday, about 600 nurses were not allowed to return to work following their one-day strike on Friday.
The Hawaii Nurses Association and the hospital have been at odds over a new contract with the union wanting better wages and staffing ratios.
I think that because we love our nurses so much and our nurses so much and our hospitals so much, I'd be honored to offer a conference room table for people to finish negotiations.
Governor Josh Green, M.D.
Kapiolani has offered HNA nurses a three-year deal which calls for three-day work weeks for nurses with 12-hour shifts.
Officials said nurses who have been locked out will maintain their medical and dental benefits through the end of September.
Both Kapiolani and HNA do not see eye-to-eye on who can end the lockout.
"Like I said, I'm not allowed to just stop something as governor. No governor is. But I can help and I love both sides."
KHON2 was told the nurses will hold a peaceful demonstration outside the hospital on Monday morning.