2017-04-27 Letter to Val Poindexter re Cost Items, Hawaii Fire Fighters Association, Bargaining Unit 11

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tp; +�� . ��'• Wil Okabe iw;, Managing Director Harry Kim -- Mayor _ Barbara J.Kossow oi'ir�'+J,- Deputy Managing Director Count of r .ainat`t Mitt of flit Alarm 25 Aupum Street,Suite 2603 • Hila,Hawaii 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553 KONA. 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy.,Bldg C • Kailua-Kona,Hawaii 96740 (808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440 April 27, 2017 Valerie Poindexter, Chairwoman, and Members of the Hawai`i County Council County of Hawai`i 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Dear Chairwoman Poindexter and Members of the County Council: SUBJECT: Cost Items, Hawai`i Fire Fighters Association Bargaining Unit 11 In accordance with Sections 89-11(e) and (g), FIRS, attached for council action is a resolution authorizing the appropriation in future fiscal years of funds to cover the cost items awarded by the arbitration panel to resolve the impasse between the employers and the Hawaii Fire Fighters Association(HFFA) for Bargaining Unit 11. The award covers the period from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019. Cost items presented for your consideration are across-the-board increases; step movements; and within range progressions for bargaining unit 11 and employees excluded from this bargaining unit. Attached as an exhibit to the resolution is a schedule showing the total cost of these various adjustments over the two years of the contract. After careful consideration, I feel that I cannot support the arbitration decision at this time. It has been my stated position to the arbitration panel and other county Mayors, that I cannot support any raises for HFFA at this time. As our costs to operate the County continue to rise, we have to control all of our costs, including collective bargaining unit agreements. This is not about whether or not the employees are deserving of the raises, but rather it is about whether or not we can afford the pay increases. As many of the cost items are effective on July 1, 2017, we ask that this resolution be waived from the Finance Committee to the full Council meeting scheduled for May 17, 2017. Sincerely, Harry Mayor Attachment—Resolution and Exhibit County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.