State workers approve contracts
By Gordon Y.K. Pang
Advertiser Capitol Bureau
Members in the two bargaining units of United Public Workers have ratified contracts giving them raises of about 10 percent over two years, about what other unionized government employees got, according to chief state negotiator Ken Taira.
About 9,000 truck drivers, janitors and other blue-collar laborers belonging to UPW's Unit 1 will receive raises totaling about 9.74 percent over two years in their new contract ratified last week, Taira said.
Unit 10, consisting of about 2,000 adult correctional officers, ambulance drivers and other institutional workers, will receive raises totaling about 10.38 percent over two years, Taira said.
The second group got slightly larger raises because the bargaining unit agreed to allow all its members to be subjected to random drug testing for all its members, which is now required only of prison guards.
"Drug use is becoming more of a problem," Taira said. "It's an important concession for them to make."
UPW state director Dayton Nakanelua did not return a call to his office yesterday.
A settlement was reached April 22 between the state, the four counties and UPW, but the Lingle administration had refused to disclose publicly the percentage increases and the contracts until they were ratified.
State Budget Director Georgina Kawamura last week said the two UPW contracts would cost the state about $9.1 million in the fiscal year that begins July 1, $22 million the following fiscal year and $26.3 million in future years.
About 27,050 workers covered by the Hawai'i Government Employees Association contract reached in mid-April will get raises averaging about 10 percent over two years. The state's share will be $31.2 million in 2006, $81 million in 2007 and $97.3 million in future years.
Also settled last week was a contract with the 13,000-member Hawai'i State Teachers Association which gives pay increases of 9.56 percent over two years. That contract will cost the state $27.7 million in 2006, $69.6 million in 2007 and $83 million in future years.
