Bargaining Update

Mid-term bargaining and proposed furloughs

On September 25, 2020 the State of Hawaii, Office of Collective Bargaining, through it’s Chief Negotiator Ryker Wada, requested that UHPA engage in mid-term bargaining and consider furlough savings to offset the State’s budgetary deficit of $2.1 billion in Fiscal Biennium 2019-2021.  Under the State’s plan, furloughs would be implemented effective December 1, 2020 through June 30, 2024, resulting in up to eight-six (86) days of directive leave without pay during this period – approximately two (2) days per month resulting in a 9.23% pay reduction.  

List of our concerns sent

On September 29, 2020 UHPA sent Chief Negotiator Wada a list of questions and concerns over their proposal to implement furloughs under their request to enter into mid-term bargaining.  The major issue of discussion was the fact that the Employer’s proposal under mid-term bargaining would extend beyond the terms of the Unit 7 Agreement in effect for the duration of July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2021.  The Employer’s proposal sought to implement furloughs until June 30, 2024, which would extend beyond the current Unit 7 Agreement and impact on the successor Unit 7 Agreement.

On October 2, 2020, Chief Negotiator Wada acknowledged receipt of UHPA’s September 29, 2020 response and requested that such conversations and explanations over UHPA’s concerns would be best addressed in a meeting between the parties.

On October 9, 2020, UHPA sent Chief Negotiator another set of questions and concerns over their proposal stating that more information needs to be provided by the Employer on the nature of the business to be discussed at these meetings.

UHPA is reviewing responses

On October 20, 2020, Chief Negotiator Wada responded back to UHPA’s questions and requested additional information.  The response is currently being reviewed by the UHPA Negotiations Committee to determine the next course of action.  A meeting of the UHPA Negotiations Committee is being planned for this week.

Retirement incentive update

As an update to UHPA Negotiations Committee Chairperson Karla Hayashi’s report dated October 5, 2020, after UHPA received UH’s counter proposal on October 5, 2020:

  • The UHPA submitted a counter on October 9, 2020.  
  • UH countered again on October 12, 2020.  
  • UHPA and UH tentatively agreed to the terms and conditions over a Faculty Retirement Incentive on October 20, 2020.  
  • On October 23, 2020, the UH submitted a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to the Governor, the Attorney General, and the Office of Collective Bargaining for their review and approval.  
  • The proposed Faculty Retirement Incentive is in the Employer’s court and UHPA is waiting for its approval.  

Budget Update

The Budget Document for FY 2020-2021 is SB 126 SD1, HD1, CD1

  • The University Allocation is on pages 36-38
  • The First and Second Quarter allocations have been dispersed to UH System
    • Each quarter allocation was reduced by a 10% restriction from Budget & Finance.
    • The restrictions and their impact were reported to the Board of Regents Committee on Budget and Finance, Oct 1, 2020. The Report begins on page 38.
    • FY20-21 UH System Operating Budget.  Campus report begins on page 13.

UH Budget Planning FY2021-2023

The Board of Regents passed the “Budget Policy Paper Framework for Fiscal Biennium 2021-23” at the Regents meeting held this past Thursday.  This paper will set the framework for the budget process for the University statewide.  The Paper begins on page 52.

Other news

Pay increase due in November: follow the details published on our website.

Upcoming UHPA meetings

  • Campus meetings: Please email Kathy Yamashita if you have not received your invitation. 
    • Monday 10/26 4pm: UH Maui College campus visit via Zoom
    • Tuesday 10/27 4pm, Honolulu Community College campus visit via Zoom
    • Thursday 10/29 3pm Kauai Community College campus visit via Zoom
  • Board of Directors Meeting, Nov. 7, 2020

Reference Links