DOE ‘Essential Employees’ solution Saves $15 Million

News Release from House Minority Leader Rep. Lynn Finnegan (R-Aiea, Pearl City)

Honolulu – Thursday, March 25, 2010

“HSTA, BOE, and the DOE say they are offering a solution to Furlough Fridays.  The Governor stated she would not release the $92 million and as far as I’m concerned that is not a solution to bring our students back to school,” said Minority Leader Lynn Finnegan

Wil Okabe, the HSTA President, said that negotiations would cease if their proposal failed. This would leave parents, teachers, principals, and students with 21 Furlough Fridays in place until the school year 2010-2011 is over. The HSTA will vote next Wednesday to approve or disapprove a new supplemental agreement between HSTA, BOE, and the DOE.

“HSTA is treating this as if it is the end of the road. There is more work to be done, but I’m hopeful there can be further compromises to end this Furlough Friday fiasco,” Finnegan said.

The difference between bringing back only essential employees and also bringing back non-essential DoE employees is $1 million per day.   Representative Finnegan continues to advocate bringing back only essential personnel in order to keep the cost of restoring Furlough Fridays reasonable and something the State can afford.

Finnegan said, “We must live within our means. It costs an extra $1 million a day to bring back all DOE employees.  It would be irresponsible to continue advocating that we bring back everyone.”

A DOE approved list of essential and non-essential employees was submitted to the Governor’s office during the collective bargaining process.  Examples of non-essential personnel include: Complex Area Superintendents, DOE central administrative and clerical workers, librarians, and certain resource teachers. “

“My proposal would reduce the appropriation from $92 million to $77.5 million,” stated Representative Finnegan.

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