SB 2556, SD1, Making an Appropriation for the Annual Required Contribution For The Hawaii Employer-Union Benefits Trust Fund

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The House Committee on Labor & Public Employment

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

10:30 a.m., Room 309

RE:  AMENDED SB 2556, SD1 MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE ANNUAL REQUIRED CONTRIBUTION FOR THE HAWAII EMPLOYER-UNION BENEFITS TRUST FUND

Attention:  Chair Mark Nakashima, Vice Chair Jarrett Keohokalole and Members of the Committee

The University of Hawaii Professional Assembly (UHPA) urges the committee  opposes the intent of SB 2556 that seeks to make an additional appropriation above the the required contribution towards the The Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund (EUTF).

This measure seeks to appropriate funds above and beyond those already in statute.  Anything above and beyond the statutory requirement will be taking away funding from other high priority items facing our community, such as homelessness, educational programs, and infrastructure. This measure assumes that at some future date, there will be a rapid decline in the fiscal integrity of the EUTF or some sort of catastrophic event that will require the additional funding.  There are far more pressing concerns for our community at this time.

UHPA opposes the intent of SB 2556.

Respectively submitted,

Kristeen Hanselman                                                                                                                                                                  Executive Director

SB 2398, SD2, Relating to Collective Bargaining

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The House Committee on Labor & Public Employment

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

10:30 a.m.,  Room 309

RE: SB 2398, SD2 Relating to Collective Bargaining

Attention:    Chair Mark Nakashima, Vice Chair Jarrett Keohokalole and Members of the Committee

The University of Hawaii Professional Assembly (UHPA) urges the committee to support passage of SB 2398, SD2 that amends Section 89-6 of the Hawai‘i Revised Statute to advance the interests of graduate assistants.  These employees are essential to instruction and research that contributes to the overall success of the University of Hawai‘i.  Graduate Assistants are employees in the full sense of the term with continuing access to positions based on job and academic performance.

UHPA supports the rights of graduate assistants to organize and collectively bargain.  Such a right is consistent with the labor tradition in our state and is compatible with an academic environment whereby the majority of employees have access to representation.
UHPA supports the passage of SB 2398, SD2.

 

Respectively submitted,

Kristeen Hanselman                                                                                                                                                                 Executive Director

EUTF Health Benefits Open Enrollment and Informational Sessions

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One of the many valuable benefit programs negotiated by the employee organizations are the health benefit plans provided by the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund (EUTF). Each year, the EUTF conducts an annual open enrollment to provide updated information on various health plans being offered, as well as to provide opportunity for employees to meet with representatives from the various health providers. This year’s open enrollment will run from April 1 to April 29, 2016, at which time numerous informational sessions will be conducted throughout the State.

Please review open enrollment information and scheduled informational sessions.  There has been a change to one of the open enrollment sessions.  The session scheduled for Molokai on April 13, 2016, at 8:30 a.m. has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances with the flights to and from Molokai.  There will only be one session on that day from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon, at the Kualapuu Park and Community Center.

Rate My Administrator – Chancellor Edition – has been published

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The third in series of Rate My Administrator surveys (this one focused on chancellors) is available for all UHPA Members to download as a PDF. Our next survey will give our members a chance to rate UH vice-presidents and you will be invited to participate via email.

“These results give faculty members the opportunity for a productive discussion on advancing a better relationship with their respective vice chancellors”, said UHPA Executive Director Kristeen Hanselman. “The results have been shared with President Lassner consistent with UHPA’s commitment to engage in efforts to improve working conditions for faculty members.”

You will need your UHPA Private Member website login and password to access this content

AFL Scholarships for Children of Union Members

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High School Seniors of UHPA Members are eligible to apply for one of the three annual scholarships offered by the Hawaii AFL-CIO.  UHPA is a member organization and supports these efforts.

HAWAII STATE AFL-CIO 2016 SCHOLARSHIPS
The Hawaii State AFL-CIO has established scholarships that will be awarded to students who are currently attending high school in the state of Hawaii and plan to pursue post-high school study on a full-time basis at a university, college, community college, vocational or trade school.

The following criteria will be used in determining the awarding of the scholarships.

1.    An essay of not more than 1000 words as to the importance of labor unions in Hawaii.  The essay may be written from a personal point of view or from a historical perspective.

2.    Completing a cover letter with relevant information: name, address, phone number, e-mail address and what type of school you plan to attend.

The scholarship is open to any graduating senior and having a family member in a union is not required.  There will be three scholarships awarded in the amount of $1500, $1000 and $500.

All submissions must be received or postmarked by Friday, April 22, 2016.  Applications can be sent by e-mail to: aflcioscholarship@gmail.com or by mail to: 345 Queen St., Suite 500, Honolulu, HI 96813.  Please direct all questions to Jason Bradshaw at 597-1441.

A decision will be made by Friday, May 6, 2016 and winners will be notified shortly thereafter.

CLEAR Act, Introduced by Congressman Mark Takai

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Aloha friend-

A college degree should be a down payment on a brighter future and a ticket to the middle class for students in Hawaii and across our nation. But for too many students this means taking on a crushing burden of student loan debt.

In 2015, the student debt load for Hawaii students was more than $24,000 per person. And it’s even higher in other states. Pursing higher education should not be a roadblock to opportunity.

That is why I introduced the Clarity in Lending for Education and Repayment Act (CLEAR Act). My bill would ease the burden of repaying federal student loans by allowing students to make payments each month based on the income they earn.

Will you stand with me, my co-sponsors and other legislators, to show your support for the CLEAR Act? By signing our petition today, you can help students get the education they need to secure a good job and a successful future.

Going to college is one of the best ways for young people to gain the skills they need for the jobs of the future. Passing the CLEAR Act is a major step forward in our effort to make that education a reality for more Americans.

I hope you’ll add your name in support of the CLEAR Act today, because education is not accessible unless it’s affordable.

Mahalo,                                                                                                                                                          Mark

 

Title Federal Grant Opportunities

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The Office of U.S. Senator Brian Schatz would like to notify you about the following federal grant opportunities listed below.

For more information, click the link below each listing, visit GRANTS.GOV, or call the Program Management Office at 1-800-518-4726.

Education
Department of Education
Office of Postsecondary Education
Project/Program: Educational Opportunity Centers (EOC) Program
Description: The purposes of the EOC Program are to: provide information regarding financial and academic assistance available for qualified adults who want to enter or continue to pursue a program of postsecondary education; provide assistance to those individuals in applying for admission to institutions at which a program of postsecondary education is offered, including preparing necessary applications for use by admissions and financial aid officers; and assist in improving the financial and economic literacy of program participants. An Educational Opportunity Centers project may provide the following services: (1) Public information campaigns designed to inform the community regarding opportunities for postsecondary education and training; (2) Academic advice and assistance in course selection; (3) Assistance in completing college admission and financial aid applications; (4) Assistance in preparing for college entrance examinations; (5) Education or counseling services designed to improve the financial literacy and economic literacy of students; (6) Guidance on secondary school reentry or entry to a general educational development (GED) program or other alternative education program for secondary school dropouts; (7) Individualized personal, career, and academic counseling; (8) Tutorial services; (9) Career workshops and counseling; (10) Mentoring programs involving elementary or secondary school teachers, faculty members at institutions of higher education (IHEs), students, or any combination of these persons; and (11) Programs and activities as described in items (1) through (10) that are specially designed for students who are limited English proficient, students from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in postsecondary education, students with disabilities, students who are homeless children and youths, students who are in foster care or are aging out of the foster care system, or other disconnected students.
Eligibility: State governments, County governments, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, City or township governments, Private institutions of higher education, IHEs, public and private agencies and organizations including community-based organizations with experience in serving disadvantaged youth; combinations of such institutions, agencies, and organizations; and secondary schools.
Current Closing Date: Apr 4, 2016
Estimated Total Program Funding: $54,296,053
Award Ceiling: $236,000
Award Floor: N/A
CFDA Number: 84.066 – TRIO Educational Opportunity Centers
For more information, go to:
http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=281276

Department of Education
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)
Project/Program: Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) State Personnel Development Grants (SPDG) Program
Description: Each funding opportunity description is a synopsis of information in the Federal Register application notice. For specific information about eligibility, please see the official application notice. The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register. Please review the official application notice for pre-application and application requirements, application submission information, performance measures, priorities and program contact information. Purpose of Program: The purpose of this program, authorized by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), is to assist State educational agencies (SEAs) in reforming and improving their systems for personnel preparation and professional development in early intervention, educational, and transition services in order to improve results for children with disabilities. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.323A. Applications for grants under the SPDG competition, CFDA number 84.323A, must be submitted electronically using the Government-wide Grants.gov Apply site at www.Grants.gov. Through this site, you will be able to download a copy of the application package, complete it offline, and then upload and submit your application. You may not email an electronic copy of a grant application to us. You may access the electronic grant application for the SPDG competition at www.Grants.gov. You must search for the downloadable application package for this competition by the CFDA number. Do not include the CFDA number’s alpha suffix in your search (e.g., search for 84.323, not 84.323A).
Eligibility: An SEA of one of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or an outlying area (United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands). Note: Public Law 95-134, which permits the consolidation of grants to the outlying areas, does not apply to funds received under this competition.
Current Closing Date: Mar 21, 2016
Estimated Total Program Funding: $8,810,279
Award Ceiling: N/A
Award Floor: N/A
CFDA Number: 84.323 — Special Education – State Personnel Development
For more information, go to:
http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=281309

Department of Commerce
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Project/Program: NIST Standards Services Curricula Development (SSCD) Cooperative Agreement Program
Description:   The NIST SSCD Cooperative Agreement Program provides financial assistance to support curriculum development for the undergraduate and/or graduate level. These cooperative agreements support the integration of standards and standardization information and content into seminars, courses, and learning resources for U.S. colleges and universities. The recipients will work with NIST to strengthen education and learning about standards and standardization.
Eligibility: Accredited institutions of higher education located in the United States and its territories. In addition, non-profit organizations, and commercial organizations located in the United States and its territories are eligible so long as they describe and demonstrate their proposed or existing relationship with an accredited institution of higher education that will incorporate the applicant’s project through a pilot or other program in the institution’s educational programs. Any eligible applicant may work individually or include proposed sub-awards or contracts with others in a project application, effectively forming a team or consortium.
Current Closing Date: Apr 5, 2016
Estimated Total Program Funding: N/A
Award Ceiling: N/A
Award Floor: N/A
CFDA Number: 11.620 — Science, Technology, Business and/or Education Outreach
For more information, go to:
http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=278911

Department of Education
Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE)
Project/Program: Small, Rural School Achievement (SRSA) Program
Description: Each funding opportunity description is a synopsis of information in the Federal Register application notice. For specific information about eligibility, please see the official application notice. The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register. Please review the official application notice for pre-application and application requirements, application submission information, performance measures, priorities and program contact information. Under the Small, Rural School Achievement (SRSA) program, the U.S. Department of Education (Department) awards grants on a formula basis to eligible local educational agencies (LEAs) to address the unique needs of rural school districts. In this notice, we establish the deadline for submission of fiscal year (FY) 2016 SRSA grant applications. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.358A. An eligible LEA that is required to submit an application to receive FY 2016 SRSA funds must submit an electronic application by May 2, 2016, 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time. Any application received from an eligible LEA after this deadline will be funded only to the extent that funds are available after the Department awards grants to other eligible LEAs under the program. Submission of an electronic application involves the use of the Department’s G5 System. Prospective applicants can access the electronic application for the SRSA Program at: www.g5.gov. When applicants access this site, they will receive specific instructions regarding the information to include in the SRSA application.
Eligibility: For FY 2016, an LEA (including a public charter school that is considered an LEA under State law) is eligible for an award under the SRSA program if–(a) The total number of students in average daily attendance at all of the schools served by the LEA is fewer than 600, or each county in which a school served by the LEA is located has a total population density of fewer than 10 persons per square mile; and (b)(1) All of the schools served by the LEA are designated with a school locale code of 7 or 8 by the Department’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES); or (2) The Secretary has determined, based on a demonstration by the LEA and concurrence of the State educational agency, that the LEA is located in an area defined as rural by a governmental agency of the State.
Current Closing Date: May 2, 2016
Estimated Total Program Funding: N/A
Award Ceiling: N/A
Award Floor: N/A
CFDA Number: 84.358 — Rural Education
For more information, go to:
http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=281191