Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.
Freshman state Rep. Joe Gomes (R, Waimanalo-Kailua) said the state may have been too generous this holiday season with the 11 percent pay raise for United Public Workers members over the next two years. State ‘won’ no
concessions from UPW,
says GOP Rep.Gomes said that for Gov. Ben Cayetano to claim the state "won" meaningful concessions in contract negotiations is just spin, because the union conceded nothing of substance.
"That some future and nonexistent worker will have to suffer by starting with only 12 days of paid vacation is hardly a concession," Gomes said. "Private-sector working families whose taxes pay for those 12 vacation days may only get -- if they're fortunate -- a mere five days of paid vacation, less than half of what the state gave away to the UPW."
While he supports reasonable pay and benefits for public workers, Gomes said, it is not fair for the state to be so generous with its tax money.
Gomes called for substantive civil service reform that allows the counties to negotiate their employee contracts on their own so they will not be obligated to increase property taxes to pay for bad deals made by the state.
Gomes added that private-sector employees will not see the same double-digit increases that public worker unions will get in the next few years.
BRIGHTER TOMORROW:
Gov. Cayetano, in his New Year's message to residents, predicted 2001 will bring meaningful changes that will allow the state to continue its economic growth."As we adjust to the opportunities and challenges that await us, we will continue to build a brighter tomorrow by meeting our responsibilities to protect the environment and celebrate our diverse cultural heritage, while making sure that our citizens enjoy the highest possible standard of living," the governor said.
"The spirit of aloha is the glue that holds us together. With the help of friends and loved ones who share our commitment to the ideals that set us apart as a community, Hawaii will fulfill its unique destiny as the Aloha State."
Legislature Directory
Legislature Bills & Hawaii Revised Statutes