Media Release:
County of Hawai`i Mayor Billy Kenoi today announced a new two-year agreement with the Hawai`i Government Employees Association that continues a limited county furlough program to save an estimated $2.1 million per year.
The agreement calls for HGEA members to accept furloughs of one day per month for the two-year period that began July 1, 2011. That equates to a pay reduction of 4.615 percent from pay levels in effect before furloughs first took effect last year.
HGEA members accepted two furlough days per month during the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2011.
The new, scaled-back furlough program will better serve the public by allowing county facilities to remain open more days this year, Mayor Kenoi said.
“This is a fair agreement that reduces costs and prepares us for the uncertainties ahead,” Mayor Kenoi said. “It is a part of a larger effort to move the county to more solid financial ground, and to position us for the future.”
The new agreement with HGEA retains the existing 60-40 employer-employee health insurance premium cost split, Mayor Kenoi said.
“This agreement carefully balances the interests of both the public and public employees,” Mayor Kenoi said. “We are asking public workers to pay more each year as health insurance premiums increase, and that burden weighs most heavily on our lowest paid employees. This agreement strikes a fair balance on health care costs.”
Under the new agreement, the county will impose the first furlough day of the new fiscal year on Friday, July 29. Starting in August, the furlough days will be imposed on the first Friday of each month for the rest of this fiscal year, and will continue in fiscal 2012-13.
Filed under: Announcements, Big Island, Economy, Hawaii, State Affairs | Tagged: Employment, Hawaii County Furloughs, HGEA, Mayor Kenoi | Leave a Comment »
BOE Member Sends Letter to Okabe: “Why does HSTA refuse to meet until January 11, 2013?”
Former Hawaii State Teachers Association (HSTA) President Jim Williams yesterday sent a letter to current HSTA President Wil Okabe asking for clarification on Mr. Okabe’s recent public statements on negotiations.
President Wil Tanabe
Mr. Williams currently serves on the Hawaii State Board of Education (BOE) and is chairman of the Human Resources Committee. He is one of the two Board votes on the Employer negotiations team, and has participated in negotiations since joining the board in April 2011.
“Less than two years ago you as (HSTA) president and I as (HSTA) Executive Director worked together to put an end to the “Furlough Friday” fiasco that was the biggest issue before us as I began my service,” wrote Mr. Williams. “Now, as a voting member of the Employer negotiations team and a member of the Board of Education, I feel compelled to ask you some questions about the current negotiations between HSTA and the Employer and related to the teacher demonstrations that are being held periodically.”
On December 10, 2012, after HSTA did not accept the state’s settlement offer the State made a proposal to HSTA for increased salaries. This proposal for “Salaries (“2nd Amended Proposal ‘W”) represents the same financial package offered as part of the December 5 settlement offer. This proposal represents $49 million of new compensation from state general funds and is $11 million more than any previous offer made by the State or considered by teachers. The salary breakdown is:
Since the last negotiation meeting on December 10, 2012 this offer for increased compensation has been “on the table” for review and discussion by HSTA leaders and its members.
“At the conclusion of our discussions on December 10, after HSTA stated its unwillingness to accept the Employer settlement offer, the Employer spokesperson formally handed across the table a revised salary proposal including the same 2% (both years) pay increases that were in the settlement proposal,” wrote Mr. Williams. “Did the HSTA negotiations team inform you of the amended salary proposal? If you were informed, how can you say that the Employer withdrew our proposal, when virtually everything in the settlement offer, including the salary change, remains on the bargaining table?”
The state remains committed to negotiating with HSTA as soon as possible to reach a resolution that results in a ratified contract. The state proposed to continue negotiations on December 19, 20, and 21; however, HSTA did not agree to meet until January 11, 2013.
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Filed under: Announcements, Economy, Education, Guest Commentator, Hawaii, Kids, Rumors, State Affairs | Tagged: Board of education, Employment, HSTA, Settlement offer | Leave a Comment »