Requires that existing collective bargaining agreements that are in effect at the time an electrical generation and distribution operation is purchased or acquired shall remain in effect until the agreement expires.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. Chapter 89, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§89-    Activities purchased or acquired by the employer. (a) Any other law to the contrary notwithstanding, when electrical generation and distribution activities are purchased or acquired by the employer, the terms of any existing collective bargaining agreement, including wages, hours, and other conditions of employment, covering employees of the purchased or acquired activity are deemed valid for the duration of the agreement. The employer and the labor organization that is a party to the valid collective bargaining agreement shall agree in writing to recognize the terms of the agreement. The labor organization shall continue as the exclusive representative for the interests, including the handling of grievances, of the affected employees so long as it is the exclusive representative.

(b) Notwithstanding section 89-7(c) and insofar as practicable, the board shall conduct an election in order to certify an exclusive representative for employees of the purchased or acquired electrical generation and distribution activities at least twelve months prior to the expiration of the existing collective bargaining agreement to provide the parties with sufficient time to negotiate new or successor agreements in accordance with this chapter."

SECTION 2. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.