2006-09-21 Cost of Government Commission Minutes

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somehow, possibly through a department's savings, if permitted. He said he was not sure of the fiscal requirements. As for the Civil Service Department, it has a small budget for an attendance program. Small awards, such as movie tickets or gift cards, are given out each month for attendance, and the employees seem to enjoy these awards. The budget is about $500. He said that most of his employees, however, are exempt from the unions, so he does have to deal with the unions on the award. Ms. Nicholson asked whether each department would have to deal with the unions, and Mr. Ben said yes. If there were to be a County -wide incentive program, it would have to be very general. Departments would still need to come up with their own objectives or criteria to be met, or ways to measure. They would need to determine what a field laborer would have to achieve to be awarded a $300 certificate, for example, as well as what a division chief would have to achieve. One goal could not be applicable to both. The Civil Service Department could provide assistance in dealing with the unions, if necessary. Mr. Ben explained that his Department is responsible for dealing with union issues and labor relations. They are responsible for negotiating with the unions on wages, hours, and terms and conditions of employment. They sit at the bargaining table for all County employees to develop the master contract, and departments are allowed to negotiate their separate needs, which could include their incentive programs. Mr. Sakaguchi asked whether the County hires a negotiator or uses Mr. Ben when negotiating contracts with the unions. Mr. Ben said that under state law, all counties and the State count as one employer, for multi - employer bargaining. A negotiator is not hired. He said he sits at the table representing the County and speaks and makes decisions for Hawaii County. Each jurisdiction has someone like him to do this, which means he and his counterparts need to collectively decide what their position will be on the pay raises and benefits, subject to ratification. Mr. Sakaguchi asked whether Mr. Ben and his peers negotiate the preliminary agreement, and the mayors and unions ratify them. Mr. Ben said they reach a tentative agreement, which the union takes to the members for approval, and the counties take to the respective councils for approval and budgeting. The employees or the councils could reject the agreement or not fund the agreement, and they would have to go back to the table. Mr. Sakaguchi asked about the non -cost items, and Mr. Ben said those are still subject to ratification, although they do not need Council approval. There was a recent change in the law such that even if cost items are not approved, they can still be implemented. Mr. Sakaguchi said that some departments have said they would like to reward employees for good attendance or for not taking sick leave by giving some kind of time off for them. He asked Mr. Ben's opinion on this. Mr. Ben said his opinion is that employees should not be rewarded for coming to work, because that is what they are supposed to do. However, the reality is that many do not come, and something should be done about this. The normal course would be to discipline an employee; however, there have been numerous arbitration decisions that prevent departments from taking disciplinary action. In addition, the unions have rejected any kind of program the County in