Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: Our union, the Hawaii Government Employees Association, has informed our security unit at Waimano Training School and Hospital that we will be disbanded. Permanent state employees are going to be transferred to other work stations due to the crisis situation that our state faces. We would like to know if the closing of a state unit constitutes a reduction in force (RIF). If this is true, do the permanent state employees have the right to bump less senior security officers at other work stations of their choice? September attacks delay
guard transfers at WaimanoAnswer: The plan to disband the security unit at Waimano had been in the works for more than a year, but has been put on hold because of the events of Sept. 11, said Randy Perreira, HGEA's deputy executive director. State guards who were to be transferred to other locations because the state school closed in 1999 are now assigned to the state Department of Health's laboratory at Waimano.
The state Department of Public Safety did a security assessment of the site some months ago and determined that security was not needed there, confirmed DOH spokeswoman Janice Okubo.
But because of the Sept. 11 attacks, health officials asked for a reassessment, "which they did and they determined that the state lab did require 24-hour security."
She noted that it is the state's only lab and it "plays a critical role in responding to bioterrorism events." It will have security as long as health officials determine it is needed.
Regarding the original transfer plan, "I know the employees were not terribly happy with it because one of the locations potentially would be Hawaii State Hospital," Perreira said. "However, because of Sept. 11, there is the possibility that the airport and other places would be of higher priority" as transfer locations, he said.
Any transfers will be subject to consultation with the union, Perreira said. "But because they are not eliminating the positions -- they're only changing the location -- it is NOT a reduction in force."
Regarding your question about "bumping," Perreira said that it was "immaterial" in light of what the situation is. If you still have questions or concerns, he said you should talk to HGEA staff.
Waimano Training School and Hospital closed on June 30, 1999. Current activities at the site, in addition to the state lab, include the Department of Health's Developmental Disabilities Services Branch; the juvenile sex-offender treatment facility run by Benchmark Behavioral Health Systems under a contract with DOH; the Department of Public Safety's Special Operations and Adult Corrections Officer Training Academy; the Pearl City High School Special Education Program; and private nonprofit providers for developmentally disabled adults.
Mahalo
On Oct. 5, I left early to take my NCLEX-PN (nursing board) exam, but my car stalled. I was determined to get there even if it meant walking several miles. Everyone had one thing on their minds -- getting to their destinations -- except Sherry. She pulled over and offered her cell phone. In desperation, I asked if she would be able to take me to my exam site. Without any hesitation, she went out of her way to get me there. She said she usually didn't drive this way, but had a meeting at the University of Hawaii that day. If not for her, I would have missed my exam and would have had to spend an additional $170 to reapply. Mahalo, Sherry, from the bottom of my heart for your kindness and unselfishness. -- Sharon Chang, Wahiawa
Got a question or complaint?
Call 529-4773, fax 529-4750, or write to Kokua Line,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu 96813. As many as possible will be answered.
Email to kokualine@starbulletin.com