The House Committee on Finance

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

2:31 P.M.,  Room 308

RE: SB 2398, SD2, HD2 Relating to Collective Bargaining

Attention: Chair Sylvia Luke, Vice Chair Scott Nishimoto and Members of the Committee

The University of Hawaii Professional Assembly (UHPA) urges the committee to support passage of SB 2398, SD2, HD2,  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, HD2.

Respectively submitted,

Kristeen Hanselman                                                                                                                                                     Executive Director