It's Official! HNA is Chartered by OPEIU, AFL-CIO

WASHINGTON, June 24 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hawai'i Nurses' Association (HNA) is proud to announce that their affiliation with the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) AFL-CIO, CLC has been officially recognized by the International labor union in a ceremony conducted during the OPEIU annual convention held in Washington, D. C. this month.

The ceremony took place on June 21, 2010 with a traditional Hawaiian blessing performed by Kumu Hula Lehua Avilla-Livsey. HNA President Joan A. Craft said, "I am very proud that we have joined the OPEIU ohana (family).  OPEIU is a strong, democratic and caring union. It is our home." The new OPEIU local is "HNA Local 50" referencing the 50th state.

HNA previously announced its affiliation with the international union in a signing ceremony earlier this year with OPEIU officials. "This takes HNA to the next level with a big step forward to provide solid union representation for our members by being affiliated with one of the top AFL-CIO labor unions in the U.S., with expanded benefits for all our members," said HNA Executive Director Patt A. Gibbs, Esq. Other HNA Official Delegates attending the ceremony were, HNA Vice-President Robin Tanner, Secretary Marina Robinson and Treasurer Elayne Schwartz.

HNA was founded in 1917 and is the largest union representing Hawaii's private sector RNs and health care workers. HNA is affiliated with the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU), an AFL-CIO, CLC affiliate. www.hawaiinurses.org

The Office and Professional Employees International Union represents more than 125,000 members in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. www.opeiu.org

SOURCE Hawai'i Nurses' Association