BUSINESS BRIEFS
UPW agrees to worker drug-testing
Advertiser Staff
Lt. Gov. James R. "Duke" Aiona Jr. and the state director of the United Public Workers have signed an agreement clearing the way for random drug and alcohol testing of 2,319 blue-collar, non-supervisory state employees.
The agreement was signed Thursday by Aiona and the UPW's Dayton Nakanelua. The agreement, which takes effect in about 30 days, is the first to include random drug testing for state employees not subject to federally required commercial driver's license drug testing laws, according to a news release from Aiona's office.
The supplemental agreement affects employees of Bargaining Unit 01 , which is comprised of janitors, automotive mechanics and audio-visual technicians. The agreement was approved by 94.5 percent of union members as part of their two-year contract that runs through June 2009.
"These workers want a safe and drug-free environment," Aiona said. "They were willing to put a lot of hard work and long hours into an agreement we can all be proud of."
RANCH TRUST GIVES $1.8 MILLION
Parker Ranch Foundation Trust gave $1.8 million to its four beneficiaries in the latest round of distributions, the trust announced.
The distributions: $850,000 to North Hawai'i Community Hospital, $354,167 to the Richard Smart Fund of the Hawai'i Community Foundation, $283,333 to the Hawai'i Preparatory Academy and $283,000 to Parker School Trust Corp.
The trust has given out a total of $14.9 million since it began making distributions in 1996. The trust was set up by Richard Smart, a sixth-generation descendant of ranch founder John Palmer.
Smart died in 1992.
"The distributions reflect Richard Smart's commitment to the Waimea Community and his legacy of philanthropic giving," the trust said in a news release.
BUSINESS EDUCATION CONFERENCE HERE
The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business is holding its 2008 International Conference and Annual Meeting at the Hawai'i Convention Center through Wednesday.
This annual event brings together nearly 1,800 management education professionals from more than 40 countries for learning and networking.
Statewide spending in connection with the event is projected at close to $8.5 million, with more than $800,000 in statewide tax revenue. The convention center's hotel partners will benefit, with more than 14,000 booked rooms.
This conference's closer site for its members in Asia makes it the association's most international conference to date.
The AACSB is a not-for-profit corporation of educational institutions, corporations and other organizations devoted to the promotion and improvement of higher education in business administration and management.
HAGADONE GETS ENVIRONMENTAL NOD
Hagadone Printing Co., Hawai'i's largest commercial printer, has earned Forest Stewardship Council Chain-of-Custody certification from the Rainforest Alliance's SmartWood program.
This certification reflects a trend in the paper and printing industry of companies making more environmentally and socially responsible supply chain decisions.
Besides using recycled paper, the company uses zero-emission inks and offers to recycle, shred and bale its customers' waste paper.
Founded in 1995, Hagadone operates a 100,000-square-foot plant in Kalihi.
