HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0582.002 1996-1998 r?
Working Together LOCAL 152.AFL•CIO ~~67_
for Hawaii , s I
Hawaii Government Employees Association
495 Manono Street, Hilq Hawaii 9672Q Phone (808) 935-6841, FAX (808) 961-2437
i ~~1: i / ~
December 17, 1997
Q~~~, . ; I
Testimony o£Yiolet Ralbarino~Unit 44_Negotiator and_~hairpersQn, Speaking in Favor of
Resolution 189-97 Relating t9 Eunding_of Oo;tt Items forBargaining IInits 43, Q4, 63 and 84
I am writing to encourage your approval of the negotiated cost items of these contracts. As a
member of Unit 04, White Collar Supervisors, single parent, and negotiator of our unit, I can
personally vouch that contrary to perception we aze not overpaid. It took eight and one-half
years of service as of December 1996, with moderate pay increases to earn under $25,000. Of
that amount $6,400 went to taxes, Medicare and Social Security, $4,100 to personal health,
home, and car insurances to protect my health and humble possessions. Church, charities and
adult children in financial hardships accounted for another $3,000. I do not live luxuriously,
much needed home repairs are being ignored because there is bazely enough income to cover
monthly living expenses. Majority of the people whose pay increase you are determining are
clerks and receptionists who aze of a lower salary range than my own.
As a negotiator, I was present for the arbitration hearing on reopeners for the 93-97 contract and
observed the Union and Employer attorneys present their cases to the arbitration panel; who then
determined the final outcome. We finally received retroactive pay in September, 1997. It was a
costly process which could have been avoided had we been able to mutually negotiate a
settlement as we have tried to accomplish by accepting this employer proposal. Not all of the
negotiators voted in favor, however, once the votes were cast, we democratically went forth in
support and favorably presented the proposed contract to our members. They in tum by majority
vote ratified this contract that appeazs before you today.
I appeal for a favorable vote in writing rather than in person because during the busy travel
season at the airport, our section is restricted from using vacation leave until January 6, 1998. It
is one of the small little-known sacrifices made by civil servants that connect a public need to a
specific service. I ask that you honor the good faith efforts made to reach agreement and help us
avoid another demoralizing and costly arbitration proceeding for both civil servants and fellow
taxpayers.
VIOLET BALBARINO
Unit 04 Negotiator and Chairperson
SOS
~ Presented cm ~"101-
DEC 1 7 199
Ret. Dane