PERREIRA ROLLS OVER FOR ABERCROMBIE

The Hawaii Republican Party released the following statement regarding the contract settlement between Governor Abercrombie and the HGEA. 

Hawaii Republican Party Chairman Jonah Kaauwai said, “Randy Perreira and the HGEA fought Governor Lingle tooth and nail over reducing labor costs and now he is just rolling over for Governor Abercrombie with seemingly little regard for the rank and file.  In this agreement, Abercrombie once again changed his position on how much state workers should have to pay for their health care coverage, which now will be more, in addition to taking a 5% pay cut.  Two short years ago, Randy Perreira and other union bosses rejected salary reductions offered by the previous administration and opted for furloughs.  It is amazing the difference political party makes when it comes to union negotiations.  The question for taxpayers is, what else did Governor Abercrombie promise the HGEA in return for this deal and how much will it cost us in the future?"

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CB: Other Provisions include additional paid time off for Government workers

Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle said he had concerns about the agreement.

“During my discussions with Governor Abercrombie on the phone this morning regarding the HGEA tentative agreement, I was told about the 5 percent reduction in base pay and the 50/50 EUTF contribution," Carlisle said in a statement from his office. "I was also told of other provisions that I could not agree with, including additional paid time off for government workers.

“The provisions that I could not agree with were not included in the Governor’s press release. I need to find out in writing the truth and the whole truth about the provisions of the tentative agreement. Once we have received all of the provisions in writing, we will need to determine the financial impact on the City.”

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HGEA News Release: HGEA reaches tentative agreement with state and county employers

Over the past few months, HGEA negotiating teams, which are composed of rank-and-file bargaining unit members, have been working on behalf of their fellow members in an effort to reach a voluntary contract settlement with the employers. There is a tentative agreement on the parameters of the contract, but details are still being finalized with the employers.  HGEA will not comment publicly on the details of the agreement, as the
union intends to first notify its membership and allow members to make an informed decision prior to ratification voting.

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News Release from www.Hawaii.gov/gov

STATE REACHES AGREEMENT WITH HGEA

Honolulu – The State of Hawai'i and counties have concluded a contract agreement with the Hawai'i Government Employees Association, Governor Neil Abercrombie announced today. Over the next two years, the agreement will save the state about $65 million for fiscal year 2012 and $59 million for fiscal year 2013.

Details of the two-year contract from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2013 include:

• An equal contribution (50/50) for public workers’ health benefits between public employees and the State and county governments 
• A 5 percent reduction in base pay for public employees without furlough days or layoffs

“Since the beginning of our administration, we have talked about shared sacrifice as the pathway to changing Hawai'i,” Governor Abercrombie said. “Today, the Hawai'i Government Employees Association stepped forward to do their part by making a sacrifice to help all people of Hawai'i. In these worst of fiscal times, a new era of teamwork and hope has begun.”

The agreement ends the two-day-a-month furloughs in the current contract that resulted in a 10 percent decrease in base pay and shut down of services for the public. Also under the current contract, the State and counties provide 60 percent of health benefits for public employees.

“We have reached an agreement that puts an end to Furlough Fridays and provides our citizens with the services that they expect,” Governor Abercrombie said. “The provisions we agreed to will save millions of taxpayer dollars and help maintain vital services to help us emerge from these difficult economic times. The state’s largest public sector union and the State of Hawai'i are uniting to put the people of Hawai'i first.”

The agreement will require a ratification vote by HGEA members.

“We approached bargaining differently,” Governor Abercrombie said. “We put the state's challenges in front of us and worked collaboratively to come up with a solution that recognizes the value of public employees and serves the public good.”

This is the first public labor union agreement with the State and counties this year. Contracts for the United Public Workers, Hawai'i State Teachers Association, State of Hawai'i Police Officers Union and Hawai'i Fire Fighters Association are under discussion.

“Public employees are our neighbors. They are family members and taxpayers,” Governor Abercrombie said. “Though we are facing difficult times, Hawai'i can pull through this fiscal crisis if we all do our part and work together.”

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