Author: support@14oranges.com

Tentative Agreement Reached for Unit 13: Electronic Ratification Voting Starts Friday

May 18, 2021

Tentative Agreement Reached for Unit 13:

Electronic Ratification Voting Starts Friday

Your Unit 13 negotiating team has reached a tentative agreement (TA) with the employer group on a successor collective bargaining agreement effective July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2023.

The Unit 13 Negotiating Team is recommending that you vote YES to approve this tentative agreement

Summary of Tentative Agreement Unit 13

May 2021

Duration

Two (2) year duration (7/1/2021 to 6/30/2023) with reopener language specific to salaries (e.g., % increase, step movement, lump-sum) or other compensation in lieu of salaries or as a portion of salaries in the second year.

Effective July 1, 2021

No increase to salary schedule or step movements from 7/1/2021 to and including 6/30/2022 (all employees, including SR NA, shall continue to receive 6/30/2021 pay rate to and including 6/30/2022).

EUTF – Increase in employer contributions toward employee health benefit premiums. 60% employer contributions based on HMSA 80/20 medical plan. Primary medical (medical, drug & chiro) employer contributions = $428.78-self; $1,041.40-two party; $1,327.70-family; w/ a 84.3% cap), other plans (i.e., dental, vision, dual coverage [medical & drug]) 60-40 employer-employee split, except 100% life.

Effective July 1, 2022

EUTF – Increase in employer contributions toward employee health benefit premiums. Primary medical (medical, drug & chiro) employer contribution amounts based on 60% of total premium of HMSA 80/20 medical plan (with drug & chiro) provided dollar amount shall not exceed 84.3% of total premium, other plans (i.e., dental, vision, dual coverage [medical & drug]) 60-40 employer-employee split, except 100% life.

Ratification voting will be conducted electronically beginning on Friday, May 21. There will be limited walk-in voting at all HGEA Division Offices next week Monday through Wednesday, May 24 – 26.

Watch for upcoming eBulletins with more information about the tentative agreement and the ratification voting process.

Phone: (808) 543-0000 | Web: www.hgea.org

Send us an Email

OAHU: oahudiv@hgea.org
HAWAII: hawaiidiv@hgea.org
MAUI: mauidiv@hgea.org
KAUAI: kauaidiv@hgea.org

NOTICE: If you have subscribed to eBulletin with your work email address, we recommend that you use a personal or home email address instead, so that we can continue to provide you with all the latest union and benefits news. You can update your email address with two simple steps:

Go to your member dashboard at www.hgea.org/account/member-login and log in to update your information.Open any eBulletin email from the account that you do not want to use and scroll to the bottom. Click on “remove” and it will unsubscribe that email account from eBulletin. [Note: If your department does not allow you to access the “remove” link, please email its@hgea.org or communications@hgea.org.]

Please do not reply to this email as we are not able to respond to messages sent to this address. For a complete list of member discounts or for more HGEA news, please visit www.hgea.org. If you have specific inquiries, please contact your local HGEA office.

OAHU: 543-0000 BIG ISLAND: 935-6841 MAUI: 244-5508 KAUAI: 245-6751

Visit your subscription management page to modify your email communication preferences or update your personal profile. To stop ALL email from HGEA eBulletin, to remove yourself from our lists.

May 18, 2021

Results of 2021 HGEA State Board Election

OUR UNION | JOIN HGEA | BENEFITS & PROGRAMS | NEWS | IT’S POLITICAL

May 17, 2021

The following are the results of the 2021-2023 HGEA President and Board of Directors Election.* Thank you to all who ran and participated in the 2021 HGEA State Board Election.

PRESIDENT (1 seat)

Jon A. Gasper

UNIT 3 DIRECTORS (5 seats)

Ryvette G. Figueroa

Darleen K. Hoshida

Sandra “Sandy” Moses

Lakea C. A. K. Tjomsland

Vernon L. Verzon

UNIT 13 DIRECTORS (3 seats)

Arnold D. Abe

Ginet U. Hayes

Amanda R. K. Lowrey

RUN-OFF ELECTION FOR UNIT 14 DIRECTOR (1 seat)

In the race for Unit 14 Director, the candidate with the highest number of votes did not obtain enough votes to constitute “majority vote;” therefore, a winner in that contested race cannot be announced at this time. A run-off election for that seat will be conducted.

AFSCME’s Local Union Election Manual states: “…The ballot for the run-off election will contain two names for each office to be filled. For a single-post office,” such as Unit 14 director, “this simply means listing the two candidates who ran first and second in the original election….”

The top two candidates for Unit 14 director were Charles R. Among, Jr. and Patrick M. Lewis.

More information on the run-off election for Unit 14 director will be coming soon.

*The results are unofficial until after the 10-day protest period. The results become official after May 26, 2021.

The following candidates ran unopposed and were automatically elected:

OAHU-AT-LARGE DIRECTOR (1 seat)

Jason R. Locke

HAWAII-AT-LARGE DIRECTOR (1 seat)

Kaloa R. N. Robinson

MAUI-AT-LARGE DIRECTOR (1 seat)

Cielo E. Molina

KAUAI-AT-LARGE DIRECTOR (1 seat)

Russell K. Wellington

UNIT 2 DIRECTOR (1 seat)

Lance M. Kamisugi

UNIT 4 DIRECTOR (1 seat)

Pam F. Mitsumura

UNIT 6 DIRECTOR (1 seat)

Derek K. Minakami

UNIT 8 DIRECTOR (1 seat)

Mark C. Yap

UNIT 9 DIRECTOR (1 seat)

Justin S. Lam

UNIT 15 DIRECTOR (1 seat)

Bryan S. Phillips

If you have questions, please contact HGEA Field Support Specialist Ann Ebesuno at (808) 961-0763 or aebesuno@hgea.org.

Phone: (808) 543-0000 | Web: www.hgea.org

Send us an Email

OAHU: oahudiv@hgea.org

HAWAII: hawaiidiv@hgea.org

MAUI: mauidiv@hgea.org

KAUAI: kauaidiv@hgea.org

Please do not reply to this email as we are not able to respond to messages sent to this address. For a complete list of member discounts or for more HGEA news, please visit www.hgea.org. If you have specific inquiries, please contact your local HGEA office.

OAHU: 543-0000 BIG ISLAND: 935-6841 MAUI: 244-5508 KAUAI: 245-6751

May 17, 2021

UPDATE: Tally of 2021 State Board Election Results

OUR UNION | JOIN HGEA | BENEFITS & PROGRAMS | NEWS | IT’S POLITICAL

May 17, 2021

The unofficial results of the 2021-2023 HGEA President and Board of Directors Election were sent out earlier today. Following is the number of votes each candidate received in the contested races.* (Elected candidates in bold)

PRESIDENT (1 seat)

Jon A. Gasper: 1,977 votes

Harold K. Naone: 1,288 votes

UNIT 3 DIRECTORS (5 seats)

Ryvette G. Figueroa: 909 votes

Thomas Jon “TJ” Giel: 836 votes

Darleen K. Hoshida: 943 votes

Sandra “Sandy” Moses: 839 votes

Lakea C. A. K. Tjomsland: 872 votes

Vernon L. Verzon: 925 votes

Darren A. Weaver: 504 votes

UNIT 13 DIRECTORS (3 seats)

Arnold D. Abe: 635 votes

Danny de Gracia: 427 votes

Ginet U. Hayes: 652 votes

Amanda R. K. Lowrey: 692 votes

Muhammad Anwar Quadri: 381 votes

RUN-OFF ELECTION FOR UNIT 14 DIRECTOR (1 seat)

Charles R. Among, Jr.: 48 votes

Mark A. Ellis: 19 votes

Patrick M. Lewis: 34 votes

The top two candidates for Unit 14 director are Charles R. Among, Jr. and Patrick M. Lewis.

More information on the run-off election for Unit 14 director will be coming soon.

*The results are unofficial until after the 10-day protest period. The results become official after May 26, 2021.

The following candidates ran unopposed and were automatically elected:

OAHU-AT-LARGE DIRECTOR (1 seat)

Jason R. Locke

HAWAII-AT-LARGE DIRECTOR (1 seat)

Kaloa R. N. Robinson

MAUI-AT-LARGE DIRECTOR (1 seat)

Cielo E. Molina

KAUAI-AT-LARGE DIRECTOR (1 seat)

Russell K. Wellington

UNIT 2 DIRECTOR (1 seat)

Lance M. Kamisugi

UNIT 4 DIRECTOR (1 seat)

Pam F. Mitsumura

UNIT 6 DIRECTOR (1 seat)

Derek K. Minakami

UNIT 8 DIRECTOR (1 seat)

Mark C. Yap

UNIT 9 DIRECTOR (1 seat)

Justin S. Lam

UNIT 15 DIRECTOR (1 seat)

Bryan S. Phillips

If you have questions, please contact HGEA Field Support Specialist Ann Ebesuno at (808) 961-0763 or aebesuno@hgea.org.

Phone: (808) 543-0000 | Web: www.hgea.org

Send us an Email

OAHU: oahudiv@hgea.org

HAWAII: hawaiidiv@hgea.org

MAUI: mauidiv@hgea.org

KAUAI: kauaidiv@hgea.org

OAHU: 543-0000 BIG ISLAND: 935-6841 MAUI: 244-5508 KAUAI: 245-6751

May 17, 2021

CALL TO ACTION: Urge Gov. Ige to Veto HB 613 Giving $2,200 Bonuses to Teachers

OUR UNION | JOIN HGEA | BENEFITS & PROGRAMS | NEWS | IT’S POLITICAL

May 17, 2021

CALL TO ACTION: Urge Gov. Ige to Veto

HB 613 Giving $2,200 Bonuses to Teachers

Let your voices be heard! Urge Gov. Ige to veto HB 613, which the State Legislature passed and would give every full-time and part-time public-school teacher in Hawaii a one-time $2,200 “bonus” payment at a total cost of $29.7 million. In addition to singling out and rewarding one profession over all others, this legislation violates the collective bargaining process.

Even Gov. Ige said the legislators “don’t have authority to give that money to teachers. We are negotiating a contract. If we arrive at some agreement that includes a bonus, then we’ll pay the bonus, but it has to be part of the contract.”

Here’s some information that may help with your message to Gov. Ige:

This bill ignores the hard work and sacrifices of all other public employees who continue to provide educational and other public services and who were/are at risk of contracting COVID-19 while working on the frontlines.
The Legislature disregarded collective bargaining, and on the last day of the 2021 Legislative Session passed HB 613, interfering with the negotiations process of the union and the employer.
The federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund monies were intended to provide schools with the necessary resources to help safely return to and maximize in-person instruction and maintain the operation and continuity of all school services, not just the services provided by one profession.
Read HGEA Executive Director Randy Perreira’s letter to Gov. David Ige requesting that he veto HB 613.

Sample of comments to Gov. Ige using online form

Tell Gov. Ige how you feel. Please fill out a short form in the link below, and tell him you oppose this bill and urge him to veto HB 613.

Submit your comments to Gov. Ige

Phone: (808) 543-0000 | Web: www.hgea.org

Send us an Email

OAHU: oahudiv@hgea.org

HAWAII: hawaiidiv@hgea.org

MAUI: mauidiv@hgea.org

KAUAI: kauaidiv@hgea.org

OAHU: 543-0000 BIG ISLAND: 935-6841 MAUI: 244-5508 KAUAI: 245-6751

May 17, 2021

APPLY NOW: HGEA Union Strong Scholarship

OUR UNION | JOIN HGEA | BENEFITS & PROGRAMS | NEWS | IT’S POLITICAL

Apply Now: HGEA Union Strong Scholarship

HGEA is pleased to announce the HGEA Union Strong scholarship will be awarded again this year. Two $2,000 scholarships will be awarded to students who graduated from a high school in the state of Hawaii and plan to pursue post-high school study on a full-time basis at a university, college, community college, vocational or trade school.

The following criteria will be used to determine the scholarship awards.

An essay of not more than 1,000 words as to the importance of labor unions in Hawaii. The essay may be written from a personal point of view or from a historical perspective.
A cover letter with relevant information: name, address, phone number, email address and what type of school you plan to attend or are attending.
Include the full name of a parent or guardian who is an HGEA included bargaining unit member in good standing.*

All submissions must be received or postmarked by Friday, July 30, 2021. Applications may be sent by email to: waki@hgea.org or by mail to: HGEA Union Strong Scholarship, Attention Ms. Wes Aki, 888 Mililani St., Suite 401, Honolulu, HI, 96813. Please direct all questions to Ms. Aki at 543-0088.

A decision will be made by Friday, September 3, 2021 and winners will be notified shortly thereafter.

*Applicants must be a member or dependent, for tax purposes, of an HGEA included bargaining unit member who has been in good standing for at least one year prior to July 30, 2021.

**Those who have been awarded the C.R. Kendall or R. K. Okata Scholarship are not eligible for the HGEA Union Strong Scholarship. Thank you for your understanding.

Phone: (808) 543-0000 | Web: www.hgea.org

Send us an Email

OAHU: oahudiv@hgea.org

HAWAII: hawaiidiv@hgea.org

MAUI: mauidiv@hgea.org

KAUAI: kauaidiv@hgea.org

OAHU: 543-0000 BIG ISLAND: 935-6841 MAUI: 244-5508 KAUAI: 245-6751

Visit your subscription management page to modify your email communication preferences or update your personal profile. To stop ALL email from HGEA eBulletin, to remove yourself from our lists.

May 15, 2021

OUR UNION | JOIN HGEA | BENEFITS & PROGRAMS | NEWS | IT’S POLITICAL

May 13, 2021

READ: HGEA’s letter to Gov. Ige requests he veto bill giving $2,200 bonuses to teachers

HGEA Executive Director Randy Perreira sent a letter to Gov. David Ige on May 12 requesting that he veto H.B. 613, which would give all Hawaii public school teachers a one-time $2,200 bonus payment. This legislation not only violates the collective bargaining process but also unfairly rewards one group while ignoring many others who have worked on the frontlines during the pandemic.

“We believe that H.B. 613, C.D. 2 violates Article XIII, Section 2 of the Hawaii Constitution and Chapter 89 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes because the $2,200 bonus payments were not attained through the collective bargaining process. Changes to wages, hours and other conditions of work must be negotiated by the Union and the Employer prior to implementation. That did not happen here,” Perreira stated. “Beyond any legal analysis this legislation is patently unfair as it rewards one segment of our education community while disregarding the contributions of others who educate our students. At a time when our state should be coming together in a unified effort to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic, this divisive legislation sets us back immeasurably.”

READ: Letter from Randy Perreira to Gov. Ige

Letter to the Editor: Teachers get bonuses; other workers left out

Today the Honolulu Star-Advertiser published a letter to the editor by Unit 3 member Thomas Jon “TJ” Giel, an educational assistant at Kohala High School. The text of Giel’s letter appears below.

We’re not all in this together. The $2,200 teacher bonus is a blow to all public service and front-line workers (“Teacher bonuses, classroom ACs may not be best use of federal coronavirus relief funds for Hawaii, officials say,” Star-Advertiser, May 9).

Schools Superintendent Christina Kishimoto recently visited our campus, which was the model for bringing 100% of students back to high schools. But only teachers get the bonus? How is that fair? We work hand-in-hand with teachers. We were all nervous about bringing students back, we all had questions and we all worked together to reopen the school.

What about the rest of us? What about the health-care workers, first responders and any other front-line or essential workers? Do they get a bonus, too? How can the Legislature single out one profession as the only group to deserve more? This is extremely disappointing.

Thomas Jon Giel

Educational assistant III, Kohala High School

Hawi, Hawaii island

Phone: (808) 543-0000 | Web: www.hgea.org

Send us an Email

OAHU: oahudiv@hgea.org

HAWAII: hawaiidiv@hgea.org

MAUI: mauidiv@hgea.org

KAUAI: kauaidiv@hgea.org

OAHU: 543-0000 BIG ISLAND: 935-6841 MAUI: 244-5508 KAUAI: 245-6751

HGEA

Author: support@14oranges.com

Tentative Agreement Reached for Unit 13: Electronic Ratification Voting Starts Friday

Tentative Agreement Reached for Unit 13:

Electronic Ratification Voting Starts Friday

Results of 2021 HGEA State Board Election

UPDATE: Tally of 2021 State Board Election Results

CALL TO ACTION: Urge Gov. Ige to Veto HB 613 Giving $2,200 Bonuses to Teachers

CALL TO ACTION: Urge Gov. Ige to Veto

HB 613 Giving $2,200 Bonuses to Teachers

APPLY NOW: HGEA Union Strong Scholarship

Apply Now: HGEA Union Strong Scholarship

Kauai DOTAX layoffs and reorganization stopped

Kauai DOTAX layoffs and reorganization stopped

READ: Proposed DOTAX Kauai Reorganization

READ: HGEA’s letter to Gov. Ige requests he veto bill giving $2,200 bonuses to teachers

READ: HGEA’s letter to Gov. Ige requests he veto bill giving $2,200 bonuses to teachers

Letter to the Editor: Teachers get bonuses; other workers left out

ICYMI: Gov. Ige says lawmakers had ‘no authority’ to approve $2,200 bonuses for teachers

HNN: Gov. Ige says lawmakers had ‘no authority’ to approve $2,200 bonuses for teachers

Today’s Big Q:

Do you support the $2,200 bonuses for each Hawaii public school teacher, funded by federal COVID funds?

READ: Teacher bonuses, classroom ACs may not be best use of federal coronavirus relief funds for Hawaii, officials say

HGEA Statement on the Legislature’s $29M Bonus for Teachers

HGEA Statement on the Legislature’s $29M Bonus for Teachers

EUTF Open Enrollment Extended to May 14

EUTF Open Enrollment Extended to May 14

View Rate Sheets and Online Informational Sessions