A state arbitration panel has issued a mix of pay cuts and furlough days for blue-collar prison guards, health workers and first responders who are represented by the United Public Workers, Gov. Linda Lingle's office announced yesterday.

The decision affects UPW bargaining Unit 10 representing about 2,800 employees.

Lingle called the panel's ruling a “;split decision.”;

She said she was disappointed the panel chose to implement furloughs for Unit 10 employees of the Hawaii Health Systems Corp.

She said a straight pay cut for the employees would be better than furloughs because the nature of the work and the people served requires around-the-clock attention, seven days a week.

The decision calls for a 5.45 percent pay cut for guards at state prisons and at the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility retroactive to Jan. 1 through June 30, 2011.

UPW members working for Hawaii Health Systems Corp. will be furloughed up to 14 days through June 30 and up to 24 days from July 1 through June 30, 2011.

UPW members with the city Emergency Medical Services face up to 21 furlough days from July 1 through June 30, 2011, the governor said.

In October the Hawaii Government Employees Association announced reaching an agreement with the state on a contract that calls for 42 furlough days through July 2011 for most of its members who are state workers.

County workers who are members of the HGEA will be furloughed up to 24 days next fiscal year starting July 1. HGEA members at the University of Hawaii approved a 5 percent pay cut this fiscal year and next.

The Hawaii State Teachers Association reached an agreement with the state on a two-year contract that is equivalent to a 7.9 percent pay cut.

Under the agreement, teacher union members on a 10-month schedule will take 17 furlough days during the school year, and members on a 12-month schedule will take 21 furlough days.

The state Department of Education, Lingle administration and teachers union have held talks to increase instructional days by using money from the state Rainy Day Fund.

The union said one of the main points of disagreement continues to be over the state requiring teachers to give up all of their planning days and converting them to instructional days.

Other UPW units have not settled with the state and counties, and university professors are challenging a 6.7 percent pay cut that took effect Jan. 1.