Starting today, members of the University of Hawai'i Professional Assembly will begin voting online whether to accept or reject the state's final offer currently on the negotiation table.

The vote authorizes the union to accept the state's offer made on Sept. 15. The offer does not include any layoffs this fiscal year, but leaves open the possibility of layoffs in fiscal 2011. The university would place all faculty on paid administrative leave the day after Thanksgiving, the week of Christmas, the week of New Year's Day and spring break.

In addition, the offer calls for a payroll lag of one check per year, a 5 percent pay cut through 2011 and $2,400 more in health care premiums.

UHPA is the second government union to vote on a new contract that is designed to address the state's dire financial situation which calls for concessions by union members. The Hawaii State Teachers Association reached an agreement on a new contract with the state Department of Education and the state Board of Education. The Lingle administration is in binding arbitration with the Hawaii Government Employees Association and the United Public Workers' public safety unit.

Voting will be allowed for the more than 3,000 members through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday. Results will be released by noon on Thursday, said Kris Hanselman, UHPA associate executive director.

John Morton, UH vice president for community colleges and the university's chief negotiator, did not return phone calls from The Advertiser.

Union officials are recommending that the state's two-year offer be rejected by its members.

"The union is recommending that members vote no," Hanselman said. "If this isn't approved, then UHPA would immediately call the mediator and return to the bargaining table."