EDITORIAL
Lingle making sense on binding arbitration

The Democratic majority in the Hawai'i Legislature should carefully consider a proposal from Gov. Linda Lingle to temper somewhat their cave-in last year to the Hawaii Government Employees Association.

Lingle has submitted three bills that come on the heels of a politically charged fight over the issue of binding arbitration for the HGEA.

After the Democratic majority passed the bill restoring binding arbitration for the union last year, Lingle vetoed it, only to see it become law when both houses overrode her veto in a special session.

Today, arbitrators aren't obliged to consider the state's overall financial condition or the fact that when one union wins a raise, the other public unions feel equally deserving.

Assuming the Democrats won't yield on binding arbitration, Lingle offers a package that would moderate this and other shortcomings.

Her three bills:

• Cap the amount HGEA units could receive through binding arbitration at 1.5 percent, forcing them to remain at the negotiating table if they want more.
• Compel arbitrators to figure cost ramifications if the raise were applied to all other bargaining units.
• Allow HGEA members in law enforcement to create a new bargaining unit.

The Democratic majority should consider these bills and meet Lingle halfway.