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Working Together LOCAL 152, AFL-CIO ~ <br /> for Hawaii ~ ~ 9 <br /> Hawaii Government Employees Association <br /> 495 Manono Street, Hilo, Hawaii 96720, Phone (808) 935-6841, FAX (80$) 961-2437 <br /> Testimony of BJ Soriano, Unit 03 Member, HG??A~AFS~CME <br /> HGEA Hawaii Island Division Community Action Chairperson <br /> CC;., _ ~ , <br /> Good morning Councilmen and Councilwoman: <br /> My name is BJ Soriano. I am currently employed as a Secretary with the Department of <br /> Labor, Workforce Development Division. Some of our functions within our division include <br /> <br /> training individuals to enter and thrive in our workforce and serve as a labor exchange <br /> matching and placing clients in jobs. <br /> As an employee of this division, I am fully aware how our labor market is out there. <br /> know that jobs are scarce and layoffs are many. It is also true that there is a mismatch <br /> of jobs versus job seekers, making our economic picture more bleak and our <br /> unemployment figures here in our County very high (at its' current 9% (October figures). <br /> As if this is not enough, there are many individuals who are underemployed. <br /> Underemployed means that these individuals are not making enough money to live by, <br /> for reasons such as wages being too low, benefits not sufficient, housing too expensive, <br /> or the cost of living in general skyrocketing in leaps and bounds. <br /> Without divulging just who comes into our office to seek work because it is confidential, <br /> I can safely tell you that there are many government employees who are employed in <br /> second jobs or seeking supplemental work. While the reasons for seeking other <br /> employment is a personal one, it would be a safe assumption to state that the reasons <br /> I mentioned are some of the reasons that they seeking supplemental work. <br /> In addition to being a government employee, I volunteer much of my time in our <br /> community, trying to help those that are less fortunate. I give of my talent, my time and <br /> my money to our community. There are many government employees who also volunteer <br /> in our community. They, too, give much of their personal resources to help others. The <br /> HGEA has its own Community Action Committee, for the purpose of giving a helping hand <br /> to the hungry, the sick, and the dying. So you see, that when you get down to it, you <br /> could say that our salaries contribute to many of the unemployed, underemployed and <br /> low-income population. By not funding our raises, more and more of us may become <br /> underemployed, and instead of working towards a healthier and more prosperous <br /> community, we will find ourselves spiraling downward towards a more depressed state <br /> of being. <br /> I ask for your consideration. Please vote in favor to fund Unit 03 and Unit 04's Hawaii <br /> Government Employees Association raises. <br /> HJ EArIUn~ 03 Member let ~ rese` "t@d ~s <br /> ttit. n.s~ p~ Z 71991 <br /> <br />