(This Q&A is part of a continuing series that we introduced with the “Taking a Hard Look at Our Future Starts with Asking the Hard Questions” article)
Yes
AFT offers numerous exclusive member benefits. UHPA has offered a range of member benefits, and as an affiliate of AFT, UHPA will be able to offer more extensive and comprehensive member benefits to our membership. UHPA believes that this is especially important to meet the growing needs of our diverse membership base.
Benefits for Our Age Groups
UHPA membership has changed over the years. Today, 59% of our faculty members are between the ages of 40 and 60; 25% are age 60 or more; and the remaining 16% are under 40. AFT offers benefits that take into consideration the needs of our members throughout their career and lifetime.
Leveraging the Buying Power of 1.7 million members
“AFT recognizes that their membership needs change over time and by partnering with AFT, UHPA can access greater exclusive membership benefits by leveraging the negotiating and purchasing power of AFT’s 1.7 million members,” said Christian Fern, UHPA Executive Director. “These are benefits that we would not be able to access on our own or be able to offer at the same discount levels as an independent, stand-alone union. The benefits that our members could receive as an AFT affiliate more than offset the $10 dues increase per pay period.”
Here’s a small sample at what’s ahead for you if UHPA becomes an AFT affiliate:
Long-Term Care Insurance
Beginning January 1, 2024, members and family members will be able to find long-term care insurance solutions at discounted rates that are not available to the public. AFT has partnered with Back Nine Planning to provide members with a dedicated long-term care specialist, who can provide a complimentary, no-cost consultation.
This benefit is especially important for UH faculty members who have been caregivers for their aging parents and know firsthand the importance of planning ahead to manage the cost of care when they may need additional care. Proactive planning is key to establishing the kind of care you want for yourself and your loved ones.
AFT affiliate members can also receive exclusive discounts to LifeStation’s suite of medical alert technology devices. These are ideal for those who are caregivers for aging loved ones, and want to make sure their loved ones have quick access to emergency help at the push of a button.
Travel and Entertainment
For younger UHPA members and those with young children, AFT, in partnership with SWABIZ®, opens the door to travel throughout the world. It starts with discounts on Southwest Airlines, which offers a number of routes from Hawaii at competitive rates.
AFT affiliate members can also enjoy discounts when staying at Hilton and Wyndham properties, car rentals, vacation packages, including discounts at Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Six Flags, SeaWorld, LEGOLAND, and other theme parks through AFT’s partnership with Abenity. Plus, you and your family can receive big, exclusive discounts for shopping, restaurants, movies, concerts, and more!
Student Loan Forgiveness Program
AFT, in collaboration with Summer, helps student borrowers navigate the student loan repayment landscape and obtain access to accurate, quality information. Summer, which started as a group of student loan borrowers who wanted to help others, is an online platform that harnesses public policy experts to optimize borrower options, and uses technology to make the process simple and secure. This is a free benefit for AFT affiliate members.
AFT was a leader in addressing student debt and proactively reached out to UHPA to offer free clinics to help faculty access student loan repayment information. Dr. Camonia Graham-Tutt, CHES, University of Hawaii-West Oahu Associate Professor of Community Health, signed up for the AFT-sponsored clinic and the information and advice she gained changed her life: her $272,000 in student loans were completely forgiven and she can now use the extra funds to invest in her daughter! Altogether, UHPA members have saved a total of $850,000 in student loans, thanks to AFT.
Pet Insurance
UHPA members who have pets know how veterinary bills can be shocking and can create a financial setback. AFT offers pet insurance to reimburse you for your veterinary bills when your dog or cat is sick or injured. You can be confident about providing the best care and treatment that your pet deserves instead of basing your decisions on your budget. Through AFT’s partnership with Pets Best, a leading U.S. pet insurance provider, you can receive up to 10% off your veterinary bills from a veterinarian of your choice and other benefits.
New Benefits Always Being Added
In the last few years, AFT has added new benefits such as trauma counseling to support recovery from personal and workplace challenges, and LifeBrand subscriptions that help protect members’ online reputations. You can expect new AFT benefits to be added in the future.
Learn more about these and other AFT+ Member Benefits and explore the rich array of discounts, services and benefits. Many of these services are available to family members, too.
More than Just a Benefits Program: Financial Support for Maui Faculty
It is also important to note that AFT reached out to UHPA after the Maui wildfires and without hesitation provided $10,000 to support faculty who were impacted or displaced from their homes. UHPA was able to support faculty and the generous unexpected gift from AFT was used to replenish our UHPA relief fund that was established after Hurricane Iwa to provide support for faculty affected by natural disasters.
Feedback is Always Welcomed
As always, we’re open to feedback from our members, so please don’t hesitate to email those suggestions to feedback@uhpa.org.
Members Ask: What Will AFT Affiliation Cost?
/in Affiliation, Frontpage, NewsletterIn addition to the monthly UHPA dues, how much would the AFT dues be per month?
The cost to affiliate with AFT would be $20.18 per member per month (or $10.09 per paycheck). This amount would go directly to AFT. UHPA would keep nothing and continue to operate on the 1% of your gross salary.
Feedback is Always Welcomed
As always, we’re open to feedback from our members, so please don’t hesitate to email those suggestions to feedback@uhpa.org.
Members Ask: Is AFT Affiliation A Long-Term Commitment?
/in Affiliation, Frontpage, NewsletterWould there be a probationary period for AFT in which UHPA members can determine if this association is beneficial to us or not? Or is this a long term commitment?
Should the UHPA Board of Directors decide to affiliate with AFT, we anticipate the affiliation will be a lasting partnership. However, affiliation with AFT does not need to be permanent nor is it in perpetuity. Should the UHPA Board of Directors determine that the affiliation is not serving UHPA’s needs, the Board may decide to disaffiliate with AFT through a majority vote, provided requisite notice is given to AFT.
Feedback is Always Welcomed
As always, we’re open to feedback from our members, so please don’t hesitate to email those suggestions to feedback@uhpa.org.
Members Ask: What’s the Process to Affiliate?
/in Affiliation, Frontpage, NewsletterWhy is the decision regarding affiliation with AFT a decision of the UHPA board, and not its members?
Section 3 of UHPA’s By-laws require that affiliation decisions be made by the Board of Directors. This language has remained unchanged since at least 2007 and was most recently approved by the membership in April 2023. It is the identical process that was used when UHPA disaffiliated with the National Education Association (NEA). UHPA has a responsibility to comply with its By-laws, which are considered the legal governing documents of UHPA as a 501(c)(5) organization. If UHPA fails to follow its own By-laws, it opens its officers and directors up to potential liability for breach of fiduciary duties and responsibilities which could lead to an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Feedback is Always Welcomed
As always, we’re open to feedback from our members, so please don’t hesitate to email those suggestions to feedback@uhpa.org.
Members Ask: Is AFT Politically One-sided?
/in Affiliation, Frontpage, NewsletterIsn’t it true that the political arm of AFT is the most committed supporter of Democrats (>99% of candidates) of any similar union?
A recent concern that was expressed by a UHPA member was that a UHPA-AFT affiliation would NOT be a good idea because the AFT is the most committed supporter of Democrats (>99% of candidates) of any similar union, which is not appropriate; leads to extreme bias; results in a lack of diversity, fairness, and equity; and that a one-party system will not bring a balanced perspective.
Times Have Changed
AFT’s political records do reflect that the organization has endorsed and supported a large majority of Democrats over Republicans in national and local races. However, the AFT records show that this was not the case back over 40 years ago when AFT endorsed both Democrats and Republicans. Throughout the years, the positions of the Republican party have evolved which, unfortunately, are not in alignment with the best interests of our faculty as well as institutions of higher education. The party’s fiscal conservatism focuses on lower taxes, smaller government, free market capitalism, free trade, deregulation of corporations, and most importantly restrictions on labor unions. From an academic standpoint, the Republicans’ push to remake higher education in their conservative vision is concerning. From Florida, Texas, and Ohio, we are witnessing the direct assault and hostility over academic freedom by legislation intended to limit certain courses or the teaching of certain topics such critical race theory and intersectionality, restrict or end faculty tenure, and to defund and ban diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education.
Written In Their Platforms
The 2020 National Party Platforms also show the difference between the parties on higher education priorities and union rights. The Democratic party platform affirms tenure rights and academic freedom principles (see page 70), while the Republican party platform talks about ideological bias being “deeply entrenched within the current university system” (see page 35). The Democratic party platform also includes explicit commitments to support the right to form and join a union and bargain collectively, and to support the creation of union jobs (a word search for “union” retrieves almost two dozen examples).
Their Ideology Isn’t Self-Contained
As we have experienced and witnessed first hand with our own single party dominated political system in Hawai‘i, the Republican party platform has already been pushed by our own local Democratic elected officials who have in the past several years have attempted to restrict and do away with tenure, line item elimination of faculty positions with incumbents via budgetary bills, reduced general funds to support the UH, and attempted to micromanage the university under the guise of “matters of Statewide concern.” With the UH Presidential search now underway and many uncertainties ahead for our State’s only public institution, there is no greater time and need for UHPA to be in tune with all the attacks on higher education occurring across the country as we prepare for what is to come.
Feedback is Always Welcomed
As always, we’re open to feedback from our members, so please don’t hesitate to email those suggestions to feedback@uhpa.org.
Members Ask: Do UHPA Lifetime Members Get AFT benefits?
/in Affiliation, Frontpage, NewsletterDo the AFT member benefits extend to lifetime members – i.e., UH retirees who are UHPA members?
Yes, AFT does offer member benefits through its retiree chapter.
Feedback is Always Welcomed
As always, we’re open to feedback from our members, so please don’t hesitate to email those suggestions to feedback@uhpa.org.
Members Ask: What is AFT’s Local Political Experience?
/in Affiliation, Frontpage, NewsletterPlease identify and list AFT’s work and experience at the Hawaiʻi legislature and local politics
AFT does not have direct experience nor performed any work with the Hawai’i legislature or with local politics and politicians because it has never had a presence or an affiliate in the State of Hawaiʻi. However, the AFT is no stranger to the issues we face as the same attacks against higher education are taking place at a larger scale across the country. Moreover, AFT’s resources have armed local affiliates of the AFT to fight off numerous legislative attacks on higher education, academic freedom, tenure rights, collective bargaining rights, defunding, etc., as well as, helped introduce and support proactive legislation in support of higher education and faculty. Through affiliation, AFT will partner with UHPA to entrench itself in our local issues and provide us with the resources, information, strategic help and support needed to devise and implement UHPA’s legislative priorities, political strategy, and fight off anti-faculty and collective bargaining legislation.
Feedback is Always Welcomed
As always, we’re open to feedback from our members, so please don’t hesitate to email those suggestions to feedback@uhpa.org.
UHPA Faculty Makes the Case for Affiliation
/in Affiliation, Frontpage, NewsletterWhy Affiliate?
UHPA has carried out its work effectively without affiliation since voting to disaffiliate with NEA.
Defend the Attacks on Intellectualism
Even before the Janus decision, it was clear policy makers and big employers across the United States were coming after unions and the ability of unions to organize. Even though the Janus decision has not resulted in the death of unions, the attacks continue. Interwoven throughout the anti-union attack is the attack against intellectualism, which ultra-conservatives correctly view as impediments to their concerted effort to remove increasing elements of our long held and hard fought for civil rights. An uneducated population is easier to manage and ultimately rule.
This anti-intellectualism attack is now firmly and clearly focused on higher education.
Story after story of legislative and executive branch attacks against universities and colleges across the country pepper the news feeds daily. The picture is clear: too many politicians and their big money supporters believe the time is ripe to redesign higher education, private and public, into campuses that reinforce intolerance for so-called others and advance the continuing dismantling of civil and human rights.
Hawai‘i is Not Immune
Lest we think Hawai‘i is a bastion of blue, think otherwise. The machinations of a few elected officials, enabled by others who allow these behaviors, has increasingly targeted the University of Hawai‘i in ways that are more subtle than those enacted in states like Florida and Georgia through continuing defunding actions seen in the state budget. While UHPA has been able to successfully defeat legislation aimed at stripping away tenure and firing specific faculty members by eliminating their positions, the attacks increase every year. Being on the defensive is not sustainable.
UHPA Needs What AFT and AAUP Bring
To take on these continuing attacks at the state and national level, UHPA needs help. Affiliation with AFT provides us with the resources, knowledge, and experience of a vital and active national union which has an entire unit devoted to issues relevant to higher education. AFT’s affiliation with AAUP gives them the academic and curricular resources merged with AFT’s organizing and bargaining expertise.
To sustain and grow as a member-driven organization, UHPA must take the initiative and be affiliated with AFT.
Karla Hayashi
Director, Kilohana: The Academic Success Center at UH-Hilo
Negotiations Team Chair and Board Vice President, UHPA
Does AFT Offer Any Member Benefits?
/in Affiliation, Frontpage, Newsletter(This Q&A is part of a continuing series that we introduced with the “Taking a Hard Look at Our Future Starts with Asking the Hard Questions” article)
Yes
AFT offers numerous exclusive member benefits. UHPA has offered a range of member benefits, and as an affiliate of AFT, UHPA will be able to offer more extensive and comprehensive member benefits to our membership. UHPA believes that this is especially important to meet the growing needs of our diverse membership base.
Benefits for Our Age Groups
UHPA membership has changed over the years. Today, 59% of our faculty members are between the ages of 40 and 60; 25% are age 60 or more; and the remaining 16% are under 40. AFT offers benefits that take into consideration the needs of our members throughout their career and lifetime.
Leveraging the Buying Power of 1.7 million members
“AFT recognizes that their membership needs change over time and by partnering with AFT, UHPA can access greater exclusive membership benefits by leveraging the negotiating and purchasing power of AFT’s 1.7 million members,” said Christian Fern, UHPA Executive Director. “These are benefits that we would not be able to access on our own or be able to offer at the same discount levels as an independent, stand-alone union. The benefits that our members could receive as an AFT affiliate more than offset the $10 dues increase per pay period.”
Here’s a small sample at what’s ahead for you if UHPA becomes an AFT affiliate:
Long-Term Care Insurance
Beginning January 1, 2024, members and family members will be able to find long-term care insurance solutions at discounted rates that are not available to the public. AFT has partnered with Back Nine Planning to provide members with a dedicated long-term care specialist, who can provide a complimentary, no-cost consultation.
This benefit is especially important for UH faculty members who have been caregivers for their aging parents and know firsthand the importance of planning ahead to manage the cost of care when they may need additional care. Proactive planning is key to establishing the kind of care you want for yourself and your loved ones.
AFT affiliate members can also receive exclusive discounts to LifeStation’s suite of medical alert technology devices. These are ideal for those who are caregivers for aging loved ones, and want to make sure their loved ones have quick access to emergency help at the push of a button.
Travel and Entertainment
For younger UHPA members and those with young children, AFT, in partnership with SWABIZ®, opens the door to travel throughout the world. It starts with discounts on Southwest Airlines, which offers a number of routes from Hawaii at competitive rates.
AFT affiliate members can also enjoy discounts when staying at Hilton and Wyndham properties, car rentals, vacation packages, including discounts at Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Six Flags, SeaWorld, LEGOLAND, and other theme parks through AFT’s partnership with Abenity. Plus, you and your family can receive big, exclusive discounts for shopping, restaurants, movies, concerts, and more!
Student Loan Forgiveness Program
AFT, in collaboration with Summer, helps student borrowers navigate the student loan repayment landscape and obtain access to accurate, quality information. Summer, which started as a group of student loan borrowers who wanted to help others, is an online platform that harnesses public policy experts to optimize borrower options, and uses technology to make the process simple and secure. This is a free benefit for AFT affiliate members.
AFT was a leader in addressing student debt and proactively reached out to UHPA to offer free clinics to help faculty access student loan repayment information. Dr. Camonia Graham-Tutt, CHES, University of Hawaii-West Oahu Associate Professor of Community Health, signed up for the AFT-sponsored clinic and the information and advice she gained changed her life: her $272,000 in student loans were completely forgiven and she can now use the extra funds to invest in her daughter! Altogether, UHPA members have saved a total of $850,000 in student loans, thanks to AFT.
Pet Insurance
UHPA members who have pets know how veterinary bills can be shocking and can create a financial setback. AFT offers pet insurance to reimburse you for your veterinary bills when your dog or cat is sick or injured. You can be confident about providing the best care and treatment that your pet deserves instead of basing your decisions on your budget. Through AFT’s partnership with Pets Best, a leading U.S. pet insurance provider, you can receive up to 10% off your veterinary bills from a veterinarian of your choice and other benefits.
New Benefits Always Being Added
In the last few years, AFT has added new benefits such as trauma counseling to support recovery from personal and workplace challenges, and LifeBrand subscriptions that help protect members’ online reputations. You can expect new AFT benefits to be added in the future.
Learn more about these and other AFT+ Member Benefits and explore the rich array of discounts, services and benefits. Many of these services are available to family members, too.
More than Just a Benefits Program: Financial Support for Maui Faculty
It is also important to note that AFT reached out to UHPA after the Maui wildfires and without hesitation provided $10,000 to support faculty who were impacted or displaced from their homes. UHPA was able to support faculty and the generous unexpected gift from AFT was used to replenish our UHPA relief fund that was established after Hurricane Iwa to provide support for faculty affected by natural disasters.
Feedback is Always Welcomed
As always, we’re open to feedback from our members, so please don’t hesitate to email those suggestions to feedback@uhpa.org.
Thankful for the Value of Unions
/in Affiliation, Commentary, Frontpage, NewsletterAloha UHPA Members:
Hawaii’s high cost of living can make living in paradise a living hell and a financial struggle for many in Hawaii. It’s not easy to make ends meet when wages are not commensurate with the high costs for housing, food, fuel, and other essentials.
But it’s fair to say that without unions and its engaged members, wages would be even lower, leading to the unfortunate reality of seeing more residents leaving our state in search of greener, less costly pastures. We can all be thankful for the positive presence of all labor unions here in Hawaii.
Hawaii’s High Union Ranking
According to data compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and UnionStats.com by SmartAsset, Hawaii is ranked as one of the top 10 states with the strongest unions in 2022. This was based on total union membership percentage by state and the change in membership over the last four years. There was an important correlation to wages: those states with a higher number of union jobs in comparison to the total workforce also enjoyed higher wages.
Here are two key findings from the data:
Mahalo to all of our UHPA members for contributing to a better quality of life for all in our islands.
And if you’re a faculty member who has enjoyed the salary increases and benefits of faculty members who are shouldering the responsibility of investing their own personal time in being active and involved in union activities, including contract negotiations through their membership in UHPA, please consider sharing the responsibility and becoming a UHPA member if you haven’t already done so. Our strength lies in the solidarity and unity of our membership and the purpose of pursuing a cause greater than themselves by serving for the benefit of all.
Thankful to all of you in our UHPA ‘ohana,
Christian Fern
Executive Director
How Will AFT Augment UHPA?
/in Affiliation, Frontpage, NewsletterWhile a national union can offer great insights and expertise, shouldn’t we also look at building our own capacity at the local level?
(This Q&A is part of a continuing series that we introduced with the “Taking a Hard Look at Our Future Starts with Asking the Hard Questions” article)
Yes, building local capacity and ensuring there is a transfer of knowledge adds another dimension to affiliation.
AFT knows the importance of training for local unions and faculty members. AFT has conducted countless training sessions to help faculty become internal organizers who grow membership on campuses, develop campus-based campaigns, and provide tactics that can help reach even the most remotely based faculty. That’s important to reach faculty who may be employed at one of the UH campuses on the neighbor islands.
AFT Has the Resources We need
AFT affiliates have been bargaining collectively for nearly 70 years and have amassed a wealth of experience and expertise on negotiating innovative contracts that are fair for their members and good for the people they serve. AFT also has dedicated higher education staff who provide collective bargaining support—including research, developing contract language, costing out proposals, financial analysis of an employer’s ability to pay, and more.
They Work With UHPA
AFT leverages these experiences, expertise, and resources to help with collective bargaining by working alongside collective bargaining committees of local unions. This helps to give faculty a real voice on the terms and conditions of employment, as well as power to improve the higher education institutions where they work.
Featuring Formal Training Programs
Through partnership with the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations, AFT also offers affiliates training on the art and science of collective bargaining and contract negotiation. Based on an affiliate’s goals, this program is designed to help bargainers at all experience levels build strategies and skills to engage membership, use leverage and build relationships.
Feedback is Always Welcomed
As always, we’re open to feedback from our members, so please don’t hesitate to email those suggestions to feedback@uhpa.org.