Posted on: Friday, July 23, 2004

Wage settlement awaits ratification by UPW

By Gordon Pang
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

The state and counties have reached a tentative wage settlement with Unit 1 of the United Public Workers, which represents about 8,600 janitors, sanitation workers, wastewater treatment operators and other blue-collar employees.

The union is in the midst of ratifying the agreement, said Ted Hong, who was chief labor negotiator for the state until his resignation at the end of June.

Hong said he could not disclose the terms of the proposed settlement, citing an agreement with UPW leaders not to make the information public until the ratification vote is completed.

"I think we've been able to work out very favorable terms for everybody," Hong said of the contract that was reached in mid-June.

UPW officials could not be reached for comment last night.

Unit 1 was the only bargaining group not to reach a settlement with the state before the Legislature's adjournment on May 6, thus ensuring that its members would not receive any raises until at least July 1, 2005.

The state's last public position was a two-year contract, beginning July 1, 2003, that would have given members no raises during the first year of the contract but 4 percent increases beginning this month.

The union initially reached a contract extension through June 30, 2005, with no raises, but with a stipulation that any salary or wage increases for the Hawai'i Government Employees Association would allow UPW officials to seek a reopening on that issue.

Reach Gordon Pang at gpang@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8070.