Hawaii Senate Bill SB2704

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/21/22
• Refer: 1/24/22

Caption

Relating To Collective Bargaining.

Impact

The bill's passage would modernize the representation of public employees by delineating specific categories, particularly for emergency services personnel, without diminishing the rights and benefits already enjoyed by these employees. It seeks to preserve existing entitlements while providing a structure for negotiations that reflects the unique demands of emergency service roles within the city and county. By doing so, SB2704 aims to enhance job security and employment conditions for affected workers during collective bargaining negotiations.

Summary

SB2704 is a legislative bill aimed at amending provisions regarding collective bargaining for public employees in Hawaii. The bill proposes changes to the definition of bargaining units under Section 89-6 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes. Notably, it creates a new bargaining unit (16) specifically for employees of the city and county of Honolulu's emergency services department, allowing them distinct representation within the framework of collective bargaining. This change intends to ensure that the specialized needs and responsibilities of these employees are addressed more effectively within the negotiation processes.

Contention

Potential points of contention surrounding SB2704 include whether the establishment of a separate unit for emergency services employees might create disparities in treatment compared to other public employee groups. Critics may argue that this could lead to fragmentation within public sector negotiations, complicating the broader collective bargaining process for public employees in Hawaii. Supporters argue that the specific needs of emergency service workers necessitate this change to ensure adequate representation and responsiveness to their unique occupational challenges.