HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0495.017 2008-2010
The Council of the County of Hawaii
October 7, 2009
Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort
Statement of the Hawaii Carpenters Union on Bills 137 and 13ft''>
The Hawaii Carpenters Union joins in supporting a new community college campus
serving West Hawaii and offers comments on Bills 137 and 13)f~ If a new campus is dependent
on the passage of these Bills, it should be made very clear that the Bills in fact provide for
campus related completion in a timely manner.
In view of campus supporters' concern that there be no further delays, make clear the
schedule that is to be met by the applicant for completion of all campus related construction.
Campus related construction must include all infrastructure required in order to obtain campus
building permits, such as water and wastewater facilities and connections. PDO 105 requires
$10 million of the development under construction contract or bond by July 1,2011. Schedules
for campus related construction are in order.
Rezoning lands for development in the name of aid to campus development, should not
lead to lowering West Hawaii's standard of living. This is the other side to the social issue of
providing a campus for the people. We ask the Council and members of the West Hawaii
community to urge the applicant to, at a minimum, pay construction workers Hawaii area-
standard wages, as they develop their hundreds of acres. State, County and Federal government
recognize the concept of prevailing wages in Hawaii.
Beyond that minimum, utilization of Hawaii unionized contractors by the developer is the
best way to assure that part of that wage goes toward children having medical and dental care,
and that West Hawaii workers can retire with dignity and self sufficiency. Wage rates would be
set by binding contract, and full payment monitored, as well as training, safety and rights on the
job.
It would be tragically ironic if the Bills are passed under the banner of the community
college, only to open hundreds of acres to construction done without any contribution to
construction craft training. Hawaii's community colleges are part of one of the longest standing
public-private partnerships, with State-registered apprenticeship and training programs based
primarily on hourly contributions provided in union contracts.
Many supporters of the passage of the Bills recounted their advancement stemming from
the community college, and hopes for others tied to a new campus. Bills passed in the name of
training, education and human advancement should not contribute to making West Hawaii a low-
wage zone where no family or retirement benefits, nor skill and safety training, need be
provided. It will take the Big Island community to convey this message to the private developer
that is the applicant.
Com.. ~~
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Ref. Date OCT 0 7 ;'WJg