Public union power grab goes too far

All employers need a few basic freedoms to be productive, among them the freedom to manage their employees.

However, Senate Bill 410, sitting on Gov. David Ige's desk awaiting his signature to become state law, could take that power away and give the leaders of Hawaii's state public worker unions, in particular, a seat behind the boss' desk.

If the bill becomes law, it would mean that state government agencies would need to consult with those union leaders before making decisions about hiring, firing, promotions, suspensions, transfers, layoffs and many other actions. It would mean that state government employees could simply refuse to do their jobs, and yet remain employed.

Gov. Ige has said he intends to veto the bill because it requires, "union consent on such matters as assignment, transfer and discipline." Such consent clearly would go against the principle that all employers should have the freedom to manage their own employees, whether in government or in the private sector.

Gov. Ige has shown strong leadership in his intent to keep the scales balanced between government employers and public unions. Stopping this power grab would help defend and maintain the small amount of accountability in government we still have.

E hana kakou (Let’s work together!),

Keli'i Akina, Ph.D.

President/CEO

SB410: Text, Status