HB 2012, Relating to Collective Bargaining

The House Committee on Labor & Public Employment

and
The House Committee on Public Safety Friday,

February 12, 2016
10:00 a.m., Room 309

RE: HB 2012, Relating to Collective Bargaining

Attention: Chairs Mark Nakashima and Gregg Takayama,
Vice Chairs Jarrett Keohokalole and Kyle Yamashita and Members of the Committees

The University of Hawaii Professional Assembly (UHPA) urges the committee to support HB 2012,that provides unions the ability to negotiate contributions to the Employer Union Health Benefits Trust Fund (EUTF) and the benefits provided through the health plans.

This Bill reinforces the union’s belief that benefits are an integral part of employee compensation and should be negotiated between unions and employers. Negotiating both premiums and benefits provides unions the ability to identify benefit features that meet the needs of their members without the loss of key coverage.

The ability to negotiate will provide greater incentives which can assist in controlling costs over the long­term.

UHPA urges the committee to support HB 2012.

Respectfully submitted,

Kristeen Hanselman                                                                                                                                                      Executive Director