Binding arbitration
is sticky issueGov. Lingle will try again to
get rid of imposed settlements
in union pay disputes
Republican Gov. Linda Lingle and Democratic state lawmakers have found an issue to battle over in this year's legislative session: binding arbitration for state worker unions.
Lingle said that because the Democrats overrode her veto last year and reinstated binding arbitration for government workers represented by the Hawaii Government Employees Association, the state could face "budget-busting" pay raises awarded by arbitrators.
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The state entered binding arbitration last week with the HGEA for six collective- bargaining units.
An arbitrator recently awarded 2,800 prison guards, ambulance workers and licensed practical nurses represented by United Public Workers 5 percent pay raises in each year of a two-year pact. The award will cost the state $5.2 million this year and $10.3 million next year, said Ted Hong, the state's chief negotiator.
Republican lawmakers are pushing for a repeal of binding arbitration for public employees who are not deemed essential for public health and safety.
During a news conference yesterday at the state Capitol to announce the House and Senate majority packages of bills, Democratic lawmakers said they stand by their decision to override Lingle's veto.
"I personally feel the override was an excellent decision in preventing government services from being curtailed. Everyone faced that particular issue this past year in regards to the bus drivers strike," said House Speaker Calvin Say (D, St. Louis Heights-Wilhelmina Rise).
Rep. Marcus Oshiro (D, Wahiawa-Poamoho) added, "The community wants predictability, wants dependability and wants continuity of services."
And Sen. Brian Kanno (D, Kalaeloa-Makakilo) said it is Lingle's responsibility to prevent unions from winning arbitrated pay raises that could bust the budget.
"The onus is really on the administration to do their homework, present their best case to the mediator involved. And in the past it's been cited time and again where the administration has not done a good job," Kanno said.
Lingle said she thinks her administration has made reasonable proposals to the unions and the arbitrators, taking into consideration that the state is just starting to emerge from a serious financial condition.
Heading into arbitration, HGEA said it was asking for 4 percent across-the-board pay raises in each year of a two-year pact, plus additional pay based on years of service.
Lingle said that even if the HGEA award is not excessive, the state will need money for agreements with other workers represented by UPW, the Hawaii State Teachers Association and the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly.
