What to expect in 2018 – from the Executive Director

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Aloha and Happy New Year!

It’s the time of the year we typically send each other best wishes for a prosperous New Year filled with good cheer.I believe the new year will be filled with good cheer but it will take a little more than wishful thinking and hope. It will take a concerted, collaborative effort to face unprecedented change that can affect the quality of life for all UH faculty. I believe 2018 will be a year that will show the resiliency of UH faculty and UHPA like never before.

We don’t need a crystal ball to see what’s in store for us in the year ahead.

The U.S. Supreme Court case of Janus v. AFSCME, expected to be heard in early 2018, may make union member dues optional. Janus is the first step to weaken faculty rights such as tenure and due process by taking away funds to protect faculty. Knowing there is strength in numbers in unions, the goal is to divide and conquer, attempting to make individual union members feel they can go up against employers on their own.

UHPA is buttressing UH faculty rights at the legislative front.

In light of Janus, we need to hold legislators’ feet to the fire to support legislation that protects faculty and preserves collective bargaining. We’ll be keeping a keen eye on the further erosion of retirement benefits for public sector employees. This has been a recurring theme promoted by the Governor and the Employee Retirement System (ERS) executive director in the media.

We can expect to see attempts to further erode faculty rights in the upcoming legislative session in other ways. There will be challenges to HRS Chapter 89 and the role of collective bargaining, which admittedly, many of us have come to take for granted in Hawaii.

Despite all of this, there are silver linings in the midst of all of this.

First, UHPA and UH faculty are vigilant, agile and nimble, ready to respond and take action. Second, 2018 will be an election year — a time when legislators may be hesitant to make sweeping changes that can cost them elections. UHPA will be carefully monitoring candidate races and interjecting ourselves to support candidates that have been supportive of faculty. Needless to say, we will also be tuned into the gubernatorial race, as the role of the governor has a significant impact on the quality of life for faculty.

With so many issues confronting us, 2018 will be a busy year. UHPA has made a commitment to provide more communications to Faculty Representatives and our members so that you can be informed and take appropriate action, as needed.

Let’s make 2018 a great year. It’s all up to us!

Kris Hanselman
Executive Director

It’s movie season time – make sure your tickets are discounted!

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One of our most popular member benefits are discounted movie tickets.   Pickup a book of 5 tickets for either $40  (Consolidated Theatres) or $42.50 (Regal Cinemas).  They do not have an expiration date. Ticket purchases must be made in person at the UHPA office during office hours of M-F 8am to 5pm. Please note our office will be closed for the holidays on 12/22, 12/25, 12/29 and 1/1.  Cash or personal checks accepted. Please call us at (808)593-2157 to check on our supply of tickets on hand before coming in and then enjoy some quality movie time!

Retroactive dues fix coming in Jan 5th paycheck

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UHPA discovered that the University failed to deduct the appropriate dues from the retroactive paychecks issued on December 5, 2017. As a consequence of this administrative oversight, UHPA notified the University. The University has responded that faculty members will see a slightly higher deduction of dues in the January 5th payroll.

The University has assured UHPA that they will be notifying all faculty members of this event in order to prevent any surprises.
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Below is a copy of the University’s notice sent to BU07 members on 12/08/17:

Subject: Notice regarding December 5, 2017 paychecks

Aloha,
This email is to notify members of the University of Hawaii
Professional Assembly that UHPA union dues for retroactive pay
increases were not assessed from the December 5, 2017 paychecks. The
retroactive portion will be deducted as required by law, rule or
agreement from the January 5, 2018 paychecks.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. If there are
questions, please contact your respective departmental human
resources office.

Thank you,
Office of Human Resources
https://www.hawaii.edu/ohr/

UHPA Board of Directors votes unanimously to continue offering the Term Life Insurance Benefit of $20,000

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Effective January 1, 2018 the $20,000 Term Life Insurance Benefit will be transitioning from Royal State Insurance Company to Pacific Guardian Life (PGL),  ensuring no lapse or break in coverage for existing UHPA life insurance policyholders.  PGL is the largest domestic life and disability insurer in Hawai‘i, with the corporate offices located here in Honolulu, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Meiji Yasuda Life, one of the worldʻs largest life insurance companies.

Access to additional benefit

As a union member covered under the PGL Life insurance policy, you will have access to a benefit not currently offered through Royal State Insurance Company.  Effective January 1, 2018, you will have access to a Medical & Travel Assistance Program provided through AXA Assistance USA, Inc.  The program offers a broad range of worldwide medical and travel assistance services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Signup details coming soon

We are currently working closely with PGL on the transition.  In January 2018, you will receive paperwork that will request your primary and contingent beneficiary information, along with optional supplemental life insurance coverage information.

Not a member yet?

This fantastic benefit is FREE for all UHPA members. Becoming a member is easy and takes minutes with our online form.

Identity Theft Restoration Benefit for UHPA Members

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As a member benefit, UHPA provides identity theft restoration coverage through ID Experts for all members—at no cost! No registration is required. If you become a victim of identity theft, simply email UHPA at feedback@uhpa.org or call the UHPA office at (808)593-2157.  We will assist you in starting your recovery process by contacting ID Experts for you.  A recovery advocate will be assigned to your case and will contact you typically within one (1) business day.  The information below is needed in order for UHPA to start the recovery process:

  • Member Name
  • Email address
  • Phone number
  • Preferred contact time?
  • How was your situation discovered? Email/Call/Letter/Credit Report/Other
  • When was your situation discovered?
  • Do you have any known pre-existing identity theft issues? Yes or No

Check your retroactive pay this December

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UHPA was informed that some faculty members did not receive the Employer notice sent in late October/early November that there was a delay in payment of the retroactive pay. The payments are to be issued December 5, 2017.

The Employer experienced software problems which delayed the payment. All faculty members were to be notified of this occurrence by their respective campus administration with information regarding the salary adjustment.

On December 5th please review your payroll information. If you believe there are problems with the adjusted amount of compensation to your base pay contact the appropriate fiscal staff at your campus.

Peer salary report published

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Those interested in researching how UH salaries compare nationwide will want to download the published report reflects 2014-2015 data sources.  You can share the permanent link on our website to both the current and archived peer salary reports.

The current analysis draws on 2014-15 salary data reported to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Unlike past analyses, the individual University of Hawai’i (UH) institutions are compared with an updated peer group and the UH community college campuses are reported separately instead of as a single unit.
The report begins with an overview of the data sources, the faculty population, and the peer group selection criteria. The findings, including a historical trend analysis to measure progress in faculty salary levels relative to the peer group over time, is then presented. The report concludes with recommendations on UH’s pay schedules, and estimates of the aggregate cost of these adjustments. Peer group institutions and detailed tables are provided in the appendix.

 

 

The Supreme Court tsunami that might take your rights away – A UHPA Gathering is Coming to Your Campus

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If you care about salary raises, tenure, and defending faculty rights, your participation in this UHPA interactive session is vital. See campus-specific dates and times listed at the bottom and also check your email for meeting reminders. Please make time for this.

Why should you attend: To defend the employee rights you have fought so hard for.

The “Janus” case is currently being heard by the Supreme Court and most agree that its outcome will almost certainly be an unprecedented attack on your employee rights. UHPA is working to prepare all members for its impact and to prevail after it strikes.

What will you learn:

  • What is Janus and specifically how is that pending decision threatening public employees?
  • How will Janus affect our ability to defend our employee rights?
  • Discuss the results of your campus survey.

Why you should not miss this

Within a year, Janus will have been decided. Like any tsunami, those that are well-prepared for it will have the best chance for survival. If your rights as an employee matter to you, do not miss this event.

CAMPUS DATES & TIMES:

UH West Oahu, D145
Thursday, November 2, 2017
2:00-3:20 p.m.

Hawaii CC – Manono Campus, Bldg #383, Room #215
Monday, November 6, 2017
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

UH Hilo, UCB 111
Monday, November 6, 2017
3:00-4:30 p.m.

Honolulu CC, Building 2, Room 201
Tuesday, November 7, 2017
10:00-11:30 a.m.

Windward CC, Hale Akoakoa 130
Tuesday, November 7, 2017
3:00-4:30 p.m.

Kapiolani CC, Ohia 118
Wednesday, November 8, 2017
9:00-11:00 a.m.

UH JABSOM, Sullivan Conference Center
Wednesday, November 8, 2017
1:30-3:00 p.m.

UH Maui College, KAA 105CD
Monday, November 13, 2017
12:30-2:00 p.m.

HITS Sessions at:  Hawaii CC-Palamanui Campus, Koali 102;
Molokai 103; Lanai 106; Lahaina Conf.
Monday, November 13, 2017
12:30-2:00 p.m.

UH-Manoa, Kuykendall 101 (Auditorium)
Tuesday, November 14, 2017
12:00-1:30 p.m.
(No food or beverages allowed)

UH-Manoa, Campus Center 308
Tuesday, November 14, 2017
3:30-5:00 p.m.

Kauai CC, Fine Arts 1 Auditorium (Multipurpose Room)
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
2:30-4:00 p.m.

Leeward CC, LA-102
Monday, November 27, 2017
1:00-2:30 p.m.

UHPA Supports Ka‘āina Hull for the ERS Board

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Retirement benefits offered through the Hawaii Employee Retirement System (ERS) continue to be a vital component of our overall benefits package.  Over the past five years, the ERS Board of Trustees have been empowered to make more decisions that could impact the viability and sustainability of our retirement system.  Current discussions taking place at the ERS Board could impact the retirement benefits of current members.
The upcoming ERS Board election is an opportunity to select an individual that will be able to protect faculty interests and help ensure a sustainable system in the future.  UHPA was contacted by one of the three candidates running for the ERS Board, HGEA Member Ka‘āina Hull.  In our meeting with Ka’āina, he demonstrated that he is a committed advocate for faculty and all public employeesʻ to fulfill the commitment of pension benefits for current and future retirees.

We appreciate your consideration of Ka’āina Hull for the ERS Board of Trustees.  Ballots need to be postmarked no later than November 6, 2017.

*Please note that there was an error on the ballot return envelops that indicates a post mark date of October 21, 2015.  The correct date is November 6, 2017.

State Senator Kaiali‘i Kahele visiting UH Campuses

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Senator Kahele, Chair of the Senate Committee on Higher Education, will be conducting a statewide higher education tour this fall to visit all 10 University of Hawai‘i System campuses and affiliated education centers. The time, date and location of the meeting on your campus are included in PDF links below.

If your schedule permits, we encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to provide feedback on the important issues impacting your campus communities.

For questions regarding the meeting on your campus, please contact Ikaika Mahoe at the office of Senator Kahele at (808) 586-6760 or via email at i.mahoe@capitol.hawaii.gov.

Campus-Specific Visit Details (pdf downloads)