1. United States
2. Hawaii
3. Letter

I think the Kapiolani Medical Center strike that is happening now has begun a conversation about the workplace that we cannot ignore. The main sticking point for the nurse's strike at the center is that there are not enough staffers at the hospital to ensure all the patient's needs are met without bringing the workers to complete exhaustion forcing them through an abusive work schedule. This has brought about wave after wave of burnout among nurses and no amount of raises or overtime can help them recover. They need time, rest, and a fresh batch of new blood to lift their burden. Kapiolani, for now, it seems, refuses even to consider the union demands, but if things drag out, it is your job as public servants to step in. That is why, for the next session, I want to see minimum staffing laws written up and passed. Bills that would mandate companies, not just Kapiolani, to employ a minimum amount of employees so that workers aren't exploited by companies that cut corners by hiring little staff but demand their employees be given more responsibilities then what they signed up for, with little to no compensation. Granted some of the smaller businesses, I can see being exempt from this, or being given tax incentives to lessen their burden but for bigger business, like Kapiolani Medical Center, where burnout can affect the lives of other people, have no excuse for having this be mandated. Worker burnout is a problem that has been growing ever since the end of the pandemic, and workers have been screaming for relief for years. If their bosses won't listen to reason, then perhaps you should.