News

Thank you for your calls and emails urging Maui County Councilmembers to fund the Unit 14 arbitration award - you are making a difference, please continue these efforts.
 
HGEA is in contact with key councilmembers. We continue to strongly advocate for the council to do the right thing, abide by the arbitrator's decision, and fund the award. If they refuse to push the funding legislation through, the Maui Council may be responsible for jeopardizing salary increases awarded in final and binding arbitration for all Unit 14 members statewide.  
 
We are closely monitoring the situation on Maui and continue to stand ready to litigate, however we do not want legal action to delay the regular funding process.
 
Continue to contact Maui County Councilmembers to urge them to fund these fairly awarded and well deserved salary increases.
 
Background:  
The arbitration panel issued its decision for the first contract for Bargaining Unit 14 on February 22, 2016. The pay increases and cost items of the award are effective July 1, 2016, and also require funding by the Hawaii State Legislature and the County Councils.
 
Funding mechanisms have been introduced in each jurisdiction. With the exception of Maui, all others have either passed or are moving forward.   
 
Maui County Council
A Council Communication, which approves the pay increases and other cost items of the Unit 14 arbitration award, was received by the Maui County Council and referred to the Budget and Finance Committee. The Budget and Finance Committee heard the resolution on March 29, 2016, but deferred any decision making on the measure.
 
Hawaii State Legislature
S.B. 2836, which appropriates funds for the Unit 14 pay increases and other cost items, is moving through the legislative process as expected and is on track to be approved by the end of the 2016 legislative session.
 
Honolulu City Council
Council Resolution 16-57 was adopted by the City Council on March 16, 2016 approving the funding for pay increases and other cost items for Unit 14 employees of the City and County of Honolulu.
 
Hawaii County Council
Resolution No. 440-16, funding the pay increases and other cost items of the Unit 14 arbitration award, was approved on April 6, 2016.
 
Kauai County Council
Bill No. 2624, funding the pay increases and other cost items of the Unit 14 arbitration award, passed first reading of the Council on March 23, 2016 and is currently making its way through the Council’s legislative process.
 
Please be assured that HGEA is prepared to take whatever action is necessary to ensure that your arbitration award and first Unit 14 contract is funded. We believe that is a responsibility and obligation of the various legislative bodies under the collective bargaining law.
 
We will keep you updated as we receive more information.