HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/28/2017 Public hearing minutes on BILL#2657 PUBLIC HEARING
JUNE 28, 2017
A public hearing of the Council of the County of Kaua`i was called to
order by Mel Rapozo, Chair, Committee of the Whole, on Wednesday, June 28, 2017,
at 1:34 p.m., at the Council Chambers, 4396 Rice Street, Suite 201, Historic County
Building, Lihu`e, and the presence of the following was noted:
Honorable Mason K. Chock
Honorable Ross Kagawa
Honorable Arryl Kaneshiro
Honorable Derek S.K. Kawakami
Honorable Mel Rapozo
Not Present: Honorable Arthur Brun
Excused: Honorable JoAnn A. Yukimura
The Clerk read the notice of the public hearing on the following:
"Bill No. 2657 — A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT FOR BARGAINING
UNITS 3 AND 4 BETWEEN JULY 1, 2017 AND JUNE 30, 2019,"
which was ordered to print by the Council of the County of Kaua`i on May 31, 2017,
and published in The Garden Island newspaper on June 7, 2017.
SCOTT K. SATO, Deputy County Clerk: We received no written
testimony and have two (2) registered speakers. The first registered speaker is Duke
Nakamatsu, followed by Joycelyn "Jolly" Iwata.
JOYCELYN "JOLLY" IWATA: I will speak first.
Council Chair Rapozo: The light will turn green, you will have three
(3) minutes, orange will mean thirty (30) seconds left, and then red means that your
time is up. You will have two (2) opportunities at three (3) minutes each.
Ms. Iwata: Thank you. My name is Joycelyn "Jolly"
Iwata and I am a Unit 3 member of Hawai`i Government Employees
Association (HGEA). I am also a State Board of Director and I represent thousands
of members Statewide. My commitment to the members of HGEA is to be their voice
and to fight for our working benefits and services. Today, I ask for all of your support
for the Hawaii Government Employees Association arbitrated decision. Thank you.
Council Chair Rapozo: Thank you. Next speaker, Duke.
DUKE NAKAMATSU: Aloha, Councilmembers. My name is Duke
Nakamatsu and I am the Chair for Bargaining Unit 3, Kaua`i Island Division, HGEA.
I am also employed by the County of Kauai and one of the negotiators for Bargaining
PUBLIC HEARING 2 JUNE 28, 2017
BILL NO. 2657
Unit 3. The negotiation and arbitration process was very lengthy, emotional, and
tiring. Both sides presented arguments, facts, and expert testimony. The arbitration
panel then came up with the award that is in front of you. It is not even close to what
we had asked for as a bargaining unit. What we requested was based on national
standards, cost of living in Hawaii, and also the fact that government employees in
Hawaii pay the highest medical premiums in the United States. Just to put things
into perspective, the average Unit 3 employee earns approximately thirty-five
thousand dollars ($35,000) per year. Most prevalent medical premiums can cost up
to a third of their paychecks, which does not leave much for mortgage and other
expenses. Those of you who follow me on social media, you know I like to go out and
eat, but I do have four (4)jobs, so I do have that luxury, which many members do not
have due to family commitments. We strongly request your support for this
arbitrated decision on behalf of all of the HGEA members. Thank you for your time
and consideration.
Council Chair Rapozo: Thank you, Duke. Is there anyone else
wishing to testier? Seeing none, that will conclude the public hearing for Bill
No. 2657. Thank you.
There being no further testimony, the public hearing adjourned at 1:38 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
I
S 11 d TT K. SATO
Deputy County Clerk
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