HGEA seeks Gov. Linda Lingle is reserving judgment on the Hawaii Government Employees Association's new legislative package that would roll back much of the civil service reforms passed during the last two legislative sessions.
to nullify reforms
Lingle wants to meet with
legislators to discuss a proposal
to roll back civil service measuresBy Richard Borreca
rborreca@starbulletin.com
The HGEA's proposal for the 2003 Legislature calls for restoring final and binding arbitration for HGEA, no layoffs for government employees in case of privatization, and restoration of union-sponsored health plans.
Lingle noted that while the state has the largest number of HGEA members as employees, the union also represents city officers.
"It is premature to comment at this time," said Lenny Klompus, Lingle's communications director.
"She wants to meet with Democratic and Republican leaders in the House and Senate ... Her meetings are critical, she wants to get everyone's input," Klompus said yesterday.
Senate President Robert Bunda said he wanted to know how much the proposals would cost before commenting on them. "We have to look at it in total and what it does to the state budget," Bunda said.
"I think the governor will need to respond to some of these proposals," he added.
He praised Lingle's suggestion that the legislative leaders meet with her to discuss the HGEA proposal.
"We don't want to be going separate ways, so I am looking forward to sitting down with her and discussing the issue," Bunda said.
When former Gov. Ben Cayetano left office, he singled out the changes to Hawaii's civil service laws as a significant accomplishment by both his administration and previous Legislatures.
Those changes include allowing the state to privatize state functions and to return control of the state employee health fund to the state. The HGEA wants to scrap those changes, or at least delay them.
The union also wants the state to pay all life insurance premiums for both active members and retirees and 100 percent of dental premiums for children.
Finally, the HGEA wants the Legislature to allow state workers to retire without penalty after 25 years of service. Changes in state law call for most employees to work 30 years and be 55 years old to retire.
State of Hawaii
Hawaii Government Employees Association
