Posted on: Saturday, November 1, 2003

Contract expires for 1,100 utility workers

By Dan Nakaso
Advertiser Staff Writer

The contract covering 1,100 electrical workers on O'ahu, Maui, Big Island, Moloka'i and Lana'i expired at midnight last night but talks are expected to continue and utility customers should expect no disruption in service this weekend.

"If we're not done by tonight (last night), there's a reasonable possibility that discussions could extend," said Chuck Freedman, Hawaiian Electric Co. spokesman.

"In the event that there is a strike — and we certainly are not there yet — we have non-union employees prepared to run the operations," he said.

Harry Kame'enui, business manager and financial secretary for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1260, said "negotiations could be extended on a day-to-day basis if we think a settlement can be reached. We're prepared to exhaust all resources to reach a settlement and we are urging all members to continue working until advised by the union's negotiating committee."