HGEA

Author: support@14oranges.com

  • Three Bills We’re Watching – and Supporting – In the Legislature

    The 2023 session of the state Legislature is in full swing, and HGEA is looking out for you. In addition to nearly two dozen bills that affect salaries, raises and the health benefits trust fund, here are three priority bills aligned with our Legislative Priorities that HGEA is supporting. 

    1. BALANCING POWER ON THE HAWAII LABOR RELATIONS BOARD

    House Bill 161 would ensure that the labor representative on the Hawaii Labor Relations Board (HLRB) is selected by the majority of representatives from collective bargaining units. 

    Why do we support this? 

    Currently, all three members of the HLRB are appointed by the governor, including the member who represents labor interests. HGEA is advocating for a fairer distribution of power by allowing exclusive representatives of the bargaining units to select their own representative to the board. 

    What’s the status of the bill? 

    The House Committee on Labor and Government Operations heard and passed HB161. It was referred to the Committee on Finance and is awaiting a hearing date. 

    1. FAIRER PROCESS FOR REPRICING NEGOTIATIONS

    House Bill 163 would require the employer to initiate repricing negotiations within 30 days of receiving a request from the exclusive representative of a bargaining unit, and creates access to an impasse procedure. 

    Why do we support this? 

    A similar bill passed by the Legislature last year was vetoed by Gov. David Ige. Currently, employers frequently deny repricing requests from bargaining and claim all current pricing is appropriate. Unions also do not have recourse if parties fail to reach an agreement on a union’s request to negotiate the repricing of a class. This bill would provide a process to resolve failed attempts to negotiate the repricing of a class.

    What’s the status of the bill? 

    The House Committee on Labor and Government Operations heard and passed HB163. It was referred to Committee on Finance and is awaiting a hearing date.  

    1. RELIEVING COST BURDEN OF LICENSING RENEWAL FEES

    House Bill 164 would require the public employer to pay for any necessary employee professional licensing renewal fees. 

    Why do we support this? 

    Many public employees face financial hardship due to employers choosing not to pay for their employee’s renewal fees (It’s currently up to employers whether to do so.). This bill would shift the cost burden from the union member to the employer.  

    What’s the status of this bill? 

    The House Committee on Labor and Government Operations heard and passed HB164. It was referred to the Committee on Finance and is awaiting a hearing date. 

     

    Also, several bills opposed by HGEA have died this session. They include bills that would require the state Department of Education to administer annual mental health or behavioral health screenings and convert the Emergency Management Specialist (level IV and higher) from civil service to exempt status. 

    As always, we’ll keep you informed as bills that affect our membership continue to move forward.  

     

     

     

  • REMINDER: Candidate Deadline for 2023 HGEA State Board Election

     

  • Member Spotlight: Coach Wyatt Tau Leads Campbell Boys Basketball Team to Victory!

     

  • Member Spotlight: Esther Kwon Wins “Oscars of Teaching” Milken Educator Award

     

  • Calling All Union Leaders! 2023 HGEA State Board Elections

     

  • RELEASE: Lifeguards Would Go — From Rescues to Winning “The Eddie”

    RELEASE: Lifeguards Would Go — From Rescues to Winning “The Eddie”

    HONOLULU – Luke Shepardson, 27-year-old North Shore native, started his day at the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational on-duty with his fellow Water Safety Officer lifeguards and Hawaii Government Employees Association (HGEA) members.

    Shepardson would later win the competition before humbly excusing himself to finish his shift after an interview with KHON2 News, “Brah, I gotta get back to the (lifeguard) tower … I gotta get back to the tower and make sure everyone’s OK until the end of the day.”

    A rare surf competition that is only held under specific conditions, “The Eddie” honors fabled big wave-surfer and lifeguard, Eddie Aikau, who went missing at sea after attempting to swim to shore and get help for the crew of the capsized Hokule’a.

    The “Eddie Would Go” slogan and surf competition keep the memory of Aikau alive who, true to his profession as a lifeguard, would brave stormy seas and big waves to save lives.

    The spirit of the lifeguard seemed to permeate competition day, with Water Safety Officer lifeguards busy performing rescues and protecting the crowds of thousands who squeezed onto the cliffs overlooking Waimea Bay or on the shore, resulting in a few close calls when waves washed in and swept spectators into the water.

    Overall, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported 103 rescues and 12,090 preventative actions on the North Shore and West side, with the majority occurring at Waimea Bay. This included a startling incident where lifeguards responded to a wave sweeping a baby under a North Shore home.

    “I want to extend congratulations to Luke Shepardson on his historic win,” said HGEA Executive Director Randy Perreira. “This illustrates the high caliber of talent that we have within the ranks of public workers. Our Water Safety Officers dedicate their lives to protect the public at great risk to themselves. HGEA is proud to represent these hardworking lifeguards who have proved time and again that they ‘would go.’”

  • Unit 15 Member Luke Shepardson Wins The Eddie!

     

  • Want to Become a Steward? We’re Recruiting!

     

  • HGEA’s 2023 Legislative Priorities

     

  • REMINDER: BOE Strategic Plan Feedback Survey