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Julie Jacobson December 17, 1997 <br /> POB 900 <br /> Kurtistown, HI, 96760 <br /> Phone 808-966-8831 `~;'j ~ <br /> Dear Council Chairman, and lfi.~uncilmembers, <br /> CnU~ ~ i , . , `.i1 <br /> Please give consideration to my views on funding the contract requirements of units 3 <br /> and 4. I am concerned about the finance committee's refusal to fund the new <br /> contracts. I favor funding contracts arrived at by good faith collective bargaining. <br /> Please take the time to consider why I feel you should vote to fund this contract at its <br /> next hearing. To those members who voted to fund these contracts, Aaron Chung, <br /> James Arakaki, and AI Smith, I commend you for voting for something that may not be <br /> popular. I concur with Aaron Chung's opinion, that the council is obligated to fund this <br /> type of contract. Here are some of my concerns: <br /> 1) HGEA now has a no strike clause as part of labor law. When they gave up this right <br /> to strike, all legislators involved stated that funding would be available, or no monetary <br /> offers would be made during negotiations. When they made this agreement to give up <br /> the right to strike, they were assured that they could rely on the integrity of our elected <br /> officials to honor agreements made in good faith during the collective bargaining <br /> process. 1 feel you have a responsibility to honor agreements that were crafted, in part, <br /> by county members of the negotiating teams. If employees can't bargain with those <br /> you appoint or confirm, with whom should they negotiate? <br /> 2) I'm sure the courts will be asked for their opinion, if funding is not provided. A <br /> review of recent decisions would seem to give such awards to labor when binding <br /> arbitration is involved as in our case. <br /> 3) The money is available in the budget. It was put there in response to negotiated <br /> settlements. <br /> <br /> 4) County workers are an important part of our community. As numbers of employees <br /> dropped in some departments, many new duties were assumed by remaining <br /> employees. As you are in government service now, I suspect you realize that most <br /> public employees are motivated and loyal to the needs of the public. Public workers <br /> are attempting to improve services and/or provide the best services with what <br /> resources we have. They are doing more; they should be paid more. The contract <br /> reflects this. <br /> 5) If you and the rest of the Council had no intention of honoring collective bargaining <br /> decisions, you should have announced this during, not after negotiations. Saying <br /> ,;wrc~, Ddw 5 S 2, z D <br /> Prasanted co~v~~~ <br /> S,et. 3e~ <br /> <br />