Union opposes layoffs by Navy

By Dan Nakaso
Advertiser Staff Writer

The union that represents Navy Region Hawaii Housing workers has filed an unfair labor practice complaint, saying the Navy did not follow prescribed procedures while it plans to lay off as many as 48 employees in late July.

The International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers represents a half-dozen housing workers whom it says the Navy has targeted for layoffs without proper notification.

But up to 48 workers in all from Family Naval Housing, Navy Facility, Navy base police and the Navy region's human resources office have been identified for what the Navy calls a reduction in force, said Ben Toyama, the union's vice president.

"On or about June 12, 2003, Naval Region management unilaterally implemented changes to work policies, practices and conditions without first bargaining with the union," the union said in its complaint to the Federal Labor Relations Authority.

Navy officials verbally notified the union's president, Peter Fontanilla, that layoffs were being planned, said Nadine Bayne, director of the region's human resources office. At the time, Navy officials did not know the exact number of layoffs, according to a statement by Bayne.

"Navy Region Hawaii has now determined how many Housing Department positions will be abolished (in the reductions in force) and will formally notify the union," the statement said without specifying the number.

Bayne said that the Navy has not received the unfair labor practice complaint and that the union has not contacted the Navy to resolve the issue before filing the complaint, as required by their collective bargaining agreement.

Reach Dan Nakaso at dnakaso@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8085.