GOVERNOR LINGLE’S WEEKLY RADIO ADDRESS

Aloha,
I know that you are reading and hearing a lot about negotiations with state employee unions.  The public is engaged in the discussion but clearly wants to know more. These are the facts.

We are moving forward on several tracks toward meaningful labor savings to address the unprecedented economic downturn our state is experiencing.

Because we believe that furloughs are still the best way to address the fiscal crisis, we will likely appeal the Circuit Court’s recent ruling.  We are also developing layoff procedures, which may become a necessary but undesirable reality.

Finally, we are in ongoing negotiations with public employee unions to realize needed labor savings.  With these negotiations ongoing for over a year, the time for “off the record” discussions has passed.  My team is ready at any date, time and place to develop common-sense solutions that reflect a shared sacrifice by all state employees and that will allow us to begin our economic recovery.

Mahalo. This is Governor Linda Lingle.

The Governor’s Weekly Radio Address airs at various times throughout the week on radio stations statewide.  To listen to this week’s address or to hear past addresses, visit the Governor’s Web site at www.hawaii.gov/gov/news/radioadd.

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