HGEA union contract negotiations at impasse

As state government wrestles with a $75 million fiscal year 2009 budget deficit, Hawaii’s largest labor union is at an impasse in contract negotiations with both state and county governments. The Hawaii Government Employees Association, which has seven bargaining units covering some 44,000 public employees, will see its current contracts expire on June 30. The state Labor Relations Board declared on Jan. 31 that negotiations were at an impasse for the union’s 2009 to 2011 contracts. Negotiations take place every two years.

“As a result of the economic situation, contract negotiations between our seven bargaining units and the employers have been on hold,” said HGEA Executive Director Randy Perreira. “Our bargaining teams are keenly aware of the state’s revenue situation, and as a result are not pressing the negotiations issue.”

The impasse does not mean that the union will pursue arbitration, Perreira said. Arbitration is generally the next step after an impasse is declared, but the union hopes to work with the governor and state legislators to address the budget shortfall. Major sticking points include preserving job security. Governor Lingle said last month she is considering furloughing state workers or reducing pay and benefits.