News

The Hawaii Government Employees Association is pleased to have reached a resolution in our years-long dispute for temporary hazard pay on behalf of nearly 1,300 former and current employees of Hawaii County.

These employees, who risked their health and safety to keep the county services operating during the prolonged global COVID-19 pandemic, have waited almost three years for the county to step up to its contractual obligations.

This week, Mayor Kimo Alameda announced his intention to honor the amended arbitrator’s decision received Feb. 7 by paying a 15% hazard pay differential to all employees who worked from March 2020 to March 2022.

“We are appreciative of the positive and productive collaboration that we've received from Mayor Alameda in resolving this case. It marks a stark contrast with the previous occupant of that office who saw fit to thumb his nose at his employees at every turn. These employees put their health on the line to serve the public and they deserve respect and compensation,” said Randy Perreira, executive director of HGEA.

The arbitrator in this case initially ruled in December that employees would get a limited payout for a maximum of six months. On his final day in office, then-Mayor Mitch Roth applauded the decision, which he knew would screw over his employees and allow the county to duck its contractual obligations.

Of course, that decision was immediately appealed by us for its numerous flaws. We made a strong case that our members kept the county running for two years of the COVID-19 pandemic and the county should uphold its side of the bargain by providing fair compensation. In the end the arbitrator saw it our way.

-pau-

Media Contacts:

Malulani Moreno
Communications Manager
(808) 543-0024
mmoreno@hgea.org

Kristina Lum
Senior Communications Specialist
(808) 543-0063
klum@hgea.org

HGEA was founded in 1934 to ensure fair and equitable representation for government employees. HGEA is the largest labor union in Hawaii, with more than 37,000 members. HGEA represents state and county employees in nine bargaining units. HGEA also serves a large associate membership of retirees, other state and county employees and officials, and federal and private sector employees.