The current status of your 1.2% pay increase

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As a part of the negotiated and agreed to four (4) year Unit 7 collective bargaining agreement for the duration July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2021, UHPA had a reopener to negotiate an additional pay increase effective January 2, 2020 and January 1, 2021, as outlined in Article XXX, Duration of the 2017-2021 Unit 7 UHPA-BOR Agreement, along with the negotiated pay increases of 2% for July 1, 2019 and July 1, 2020.  The 1.2% was a floor, with the potential of a higher increase based upon the negotiated average step increases other Bargaining Units obtained.

Your 2% raise is going into effect

For 11 month faculty members, the 2% pay increase was incorporated into your July 20, 2020 paychecks.  For 9 month faculty, the 2% pay increase will be incorporated into your August 20, 2020 paychecks.  

Your 1.2% raise has been agreed to

In May, 2020, UHPA reached an agreement with the UH and the State to formally adopt and incorporate the 1.2% pay increase into Article XXI, Salaries of the 2017-2021 Unit 7 UHPA-BOR Agreement.  SB 785 Relating to Collective Bargaining, which was funded  by the Legislature and enrolled to the Governor on June 26, 2020, incorporated the retroactive pay increase for faculty members of 1.2% effective January 2, 2020, as well as the 1.2% increase effective January 1, 2021.

The bill is currently sitting on the Governorʻs desk.

He has until August 31, 2020 to issue his intent to veto the bill.  If he does not submit the intent to veto, the bill will automatically become law on September 15, 2020 with or without his signature.  If he does veto the bill, the Legislature could return in a special session and override the Governor’s veto.  

We’re waiting for his signature now

We have no knowledge of whether the Governor intends to veto SB 785 which funds the 1.2% pay increase that was agreed to back in 2017 and which the Governor, the UH President, and the BOR fully supported and agreed to.  We believe that the Governor will sign the bill and then allocate to the UH the appropriate funds to pay for this 1.2% pay increase retroactive to January 2, 2020 and another 1.2% increase on January 1, 2021.  However, it’s in the Governor’s hands now and he has until August 31, 2020 to show his colors.  Once funding is allocated to UH, we plan to work with the UH to get an estimated time frame upon when faculty members could expect to receive the 1.2% retroactive pay increase back to January 2, 2020.  Conversely, if the Governor unexpectedly vetoes SB 785, UHPA will immediately notify faculty members of what the next steps will be to address the Governor’s surprised actions.

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UHPA Announces 2020 Political Endorsements

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UHPA’s Political Endorsements for 2020 have been published on our Candidate Endorsements page and we urge all UHPA members to support the relevant candidate in your districts.

Why you should support these candidates

UHPA has a strong and consistent presence in the State Capitol in the pursuit of issues important to our faculty and defense of the UHPA-BOR Collective Bargaining Agreement. The endorsed candidates are either friends of UHPA or for those not yet holding office, give us the confidence that they will be friends.  Your support of these endorsed candidates will strengthen UHPA’s position in all legislative matters.

Our endorsement process

The new Political Endorsement Committee met at the close of the Legislative Session to begin preparing for the second round of legislative endorsements. They began by establishing a questionnaire (member only access) that would be sent to all candidates requesting UHPA’s endorsement.  

Questions we asked

An email subsequently went out to all candidates who requested an endorsement with the questionnaire attached.  A followup email was sent to establish interview dates and times to be held during the week of July 13.  The candidates had approximately two weeks to review the questionnaire prior to the interview process. 

Interviews we held

The PEC deliberated on contested districts in which they interviewed more than one candidate for that district.  The PEC took every aspect of the interview into consideration prior to their decision.   It is important to note that UHPA has not always participated in every campaign in every House or Senate District throughout the years.

HomeStreet Bank provides resources for members struggling financially

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Our partners at Homestreet just sent us an email the other day that we hope has utility for our members that need help during these trying times:

Seeing that Hawaii is experiencing high unemployment due to Covid-19, we thought you may like to have some resources available in the event you have members, or their family members, in need of financial help.

These services are offered at no cost to your members, they extend to family members and are offered by phone or on-line so they are easily and safely accessible.

As part of the Inside Edge Financial Wellness Program, there are participating partners and resources available to help members and their family members who may be dealing with debt issues

Access Member-only HomeStreet Bank resources now

Not a member yet? Join now via this instant membership online form.

Are you already a member but can’t access the content? Click here to troubleshoot or just call our office.

UHPA Endorses Rep. Richard Onishi, House District 3

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UHPA continues to endorse Representative Richard Onishi.  Rep. Onishi continues to brings a vast array of knowledge regarding retaining and recruiting faculty, the importance of research funding and an understanding of the economic challenges that face our islands.  We appreciate the opportunity to work with Rep. Onishi.

UHPA Endorses Rep. Lisa Kitagawa, House District 48

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UHPA is pleased to continue to endorse Rep. Kitagawa  She remains up-to-date on Labor issues that are before the Hawai‘i Labor Relations Board.  She understands the struggles of protecting Chapter 89 and demonstrates understanding of the issues pertaining to the University of Hawai‘i system confronting the UH faculty we represent.  Rep. Kitagawa’s background continues to serve her well as an advocate for UHPA and her community.  We are excited to endorse her.

UHPA Endorses Rep. Aaron Johanson, House District 31

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Rep. Johanson is the Chair of Labor and Public Employment.  UHPA has found a strong advocate in Rep. Johanson.  He not only understands the issues but seeks to work with us in finding solutions.  The work he has advanced on behalf of the faculty demonstrates his understanding of the issues pertaining to the University of Hawai`i system and economic issues confronting UH and the UH faculty that we represent.  We have appreciated working with him over the years and look forward to many more.

UHPA Endorses Rep. Sylvia Luke, House District 25

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Representative Luke is the Chair of the House Finance Committee.  UHPA has been fortunate to have a strong working relationship with Rep. Luke.  Her commitment to ensure the resources needed for faculty to further their work throughout all the campuses is of benefit to all.  Rep. Luke brings a vast array of knowledge and understanding of the issues on economic conditions pertaining to the University.  We look forward to a continuing strong working relationship with Rep. Luke.

UHPA Endorses Speaker of the House Scott Saiki, House District 26

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Speaker of the House Saiki has been busy keeping UHPA informed on the issues before the House over the past two years.  He has continued to engage UHPA in conversations to provide input on important issues that impact faculty.  The work on behalf of the faculty demonstrates his understanding of the issues pertaining to the University of Hawai`i system and economic issues confronting UH and the UH faculty that we represent.  We have appreciated working with him over the years.

UHPA Endorses Senator Brian Taniguchi, Senate District 11

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UHPA is pleased to announce continued support for Senator Brian Taniguchi.  Sen. Taniguchi Chairs the Labor Committe (LCA) and has provided extensive support for UHPA initiatives over the past few years.  We appreciate his open door and open communication policy.  His understanding of the issues challenging UH and his commitment of support is appreciated.  We look forward to more time together.

UHPA Endorses Senator Gil Keith-Agaran, Senate District 5

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UHPA appreciates all the energy and time Senator Keith-Agaran provides in his capacity as Vice Chair of  the Senate Ways and Means Committee.  His efforts to ensure that the resources needed for faculty to further their work throughout the islands is of benefit to all.  Senator Keith-Agaran brings a vast array of knowledge and understanding of the issues pertaining to the University  We appreciated working with the Senator.