STATE AND UPW REACH TENTATIVE AGREEMENT

For Immediate Release:  April 24, 2005

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle announced today that the State and the counties have reached a tentative two-year contract agreement with the United Public Workers (UPW) union.

“I am pleased that we were able to negotiate a fair and reasonable agreement that recognizes the importance of our public workers,” said Governor Lingle.  “Because the negotiating teams were not bound by a third-party arbitrator, they were able to work out differences in a professional, respectful and amicable manner, taking into account what is in the best interest of the employees while recognizing the fiscal realities of government.  As a result, the parties were able to reach an agreement that ensures these vital government services will continue uninterrupted.

“We wanted to ensure we recognized the dedication and hard work of these public servants who deliver day in and day out to make sure the garbage is always picked up, our government facilities are kept clean, our health care services continue and our prisons are well guarded.”

Details of the agreement will be released after UPW leaders discuss the specific terms with their members.  If ratified by the membership, the contract would take effect on July 1, 2005, and run through June 30, 2007. The contract would cover custodians, sanitation workers, prison guards, public hospital workers, food service employees and other workers for the State and counties, Hawai`i Health Systems Corporation, Department of Education, University of Hawai`i and the Judiciary.

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For more information, contact:

Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone:  586-7708

Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: 586-0043

Ken Taira
Chief Negotiator
Phone: 587-6890

Kathleen Watanabe
Director, Dept. of Human Resources Development
Phone: 587-1100

Georgina Kawamura
Director, Budget and Finance
Phone: 586-1518

Stan Shiraki
Deputy Director, Budget and Finance
Phone: 586-1516