Talks between public-worker unions, state end, but called 'substantive'
Advertiser Staff
Talks between the state and public worker unions have concluded. Union representatives left by private elevator without speaking to the media.
However, Marie Laderta, the governor's chief labor negotiator, described the talks as "substantive" but would not go into detail.
Randy Perreira of the Hawaii Government Employees Association, J.N. Musto of the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly and representatives of the Hawaii State Teachers Association met with Gov. Linda Lingle in her office at the state Capitol earlier today.
United Public Workers director Dayton Nakanelua is on the Mainland.
Also at the meeting were representatives from the state Department of Education, the Judiciary, the Hawaii Health Systems Corp and the University of Hawaii.
When the sides met last week, the unions offered to accept a 5 percent pay cut to help reduce the state’s budget deficit.
The state, which yesterday notified the HGEA and UPW of plans to lay off 1,100 workers, is expected to present a counterproposal to the unions today.
Lingle has said that while a 5 percent pay cut would save the state $203 million over two years, it is far short of the $688 million she wants to save in labor costs.