Yogi confirmed as
state personnel chief

Yogi was the state's chief labor
negotiator in the teachers strike

Associated Press

Davis Yogi, the man who went toe to toe with union bargainers to hammer out agreements that ended a 13-day strike by university faculty and a 20-day teachers strike, was confirmed yesterday by the state Senate in his other job.

Besides serving as the state's chief labor negotiator, Yogi serves as director of the Department of Human Resources Development.

It is a dual role that bothers some senators.

Sen. Robert Nakata, chairman of the Labor Committee, praised Yogi for his work in negotiating with the Hawaii State Teachers Association and the other public employee unions.

Yogi's management style as acting human resources director gave his staff the freedom and authority to do their work, including implementing civil service reform measures approved last year, said Nakata (D, Kahuku-Heeia-Kaneohe).

"I think this has enabled him to be the chief negotiator while also acting as director of DHRD," Nakata said. "We had questions about that in committee. I think that's something that still needs to be addressed, that dual role.

"But as far as Mr. Yogi is concerned, I believe that he has successfully been carrying out that responsibility."

Nakata had asked Senate President Robert Bunda (D, Wahiawa-Haleiwa-North Shore) to delay the Senate vote on Yogi's confirmation until after the strikes were resolved to avoid "creating a spectacle" at the Capitol where striking teachers demonstrated almost daily.

Sen. Jonathan Chun (D, South Kauai-Niihau) said Yogi not only has experience in the public sector and the civil service system, but "has significant experience in the private sector."

Sen. Norman Sakamoto (D, Moanalua-Salt Lake) credited Yogi for tying performance and education criteria to pay raises in the teachers' contract.

Sen. Fred Hemmings (R, Kailua-Waimanalo) said he hopes Yogi as personnel director will pursue efforts to make state government more efficient and to reduce the state's work force.

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State of Hawaii