MINUTES for 12-04-2018 FINAL - Laserfiche WebLink

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Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes December 4, 2018 Page 9 Mr. Wery said the unions will not allow it. If there's someone else who's willing to do the work for free, a union member should be getting paid to do it. He doesn't agree with the unions but they won't allow it. Mr. Hanato stated there's a lot of County employees who are willing to do the work. Ms. Iyo stated, although there are a lot of people who are willing to do the work, the cemetery staff have a specific position description. Park Caretakers who are probably the one's willing to take the overtime have a different position description are not trained to do work at the cemeteries. Ms. Lewis confirmed, we need to find a viable solution and no is not an answer. She's worked with unions so it needs to be figured out. Ms. Iyo also explained that in 2016 the cemeteries were audited by the National Cemetery Association, Song Yi stated we are the only cemeteries in the nation that conduct weekend burials. Spoke to Ron Han who said, there are a couple of States who are conducting a pilot program to see if weekend burials are viable across the board. She will pass on the information when it becomes available. Mr. Sueoka also going back to the unions, if something takes place on the weekend, the union is coming back to say if something is done on the weekend, it's taking away from the employees doing this same job on the week day. He understands the struggle with families flying in and staying longer because the burials have be done on the weekday, but there is enough slotted times available during the week to do the burial during the week and not force the overtime on a Saturday. Chair Doolittle recommended adding this topic to the list of items we work on over the next 6 months to a year. Department of Veterans Affairs Van Drivers Needed Mr. Hanato introduced the need for van drivers to service veterans going to the clinic. Kona only has two drivers. There are four vans at the clinic with only two drivers. Some people don't want to drive because the requirements are so stringent. Mr. Wery confirmed the requirements are that way because of liability. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mr. Hanto announced that the West Hawaii Council had a meeting this morning to have one location that CBOC and the Vet Center is in one place. So veterans can go to one central location. Mr. Wery announced he heard, CBOC is supposed to be moving into the old Urgent Care building on Mohouli Street in Hilo.