Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Labor and Transportation, Military Affairs, and Government Operations, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 195 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to express the Legislature's support of the Employee Free Choice Act.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Hawaii State AFL-CIO.

Your Committees find that for several decades workers in the United States have enjoyed the right to form and join unions. Membership in a union can provide a worker with numerous benefits, including increased wages, improved work environments, and freedom from discrimination in the workplace. Additionally, unions can prove beneficial to the communities by strengthening tax bases, promoting equal treatment, and enhancing civic participation. Unfortunately, as a practical matter, many workers are often barred from forming or joining a union. As a result, our nation's workers suffer from lowered wages, pay discrimination, and diminished standards for workplace safety.

The Employee Free Choice Act is a measure that has been introduced in Congress which will enable workers across the country to join unions and negotiate first contracts without employer harassment. Under the Employee Free Choice Act, workers are provided the option as to whether to form unions, employers or unions are permitted to refer first contract disputes to mediation or arbitration, and meaningful penalties are established for violations of employees' rights when workers seek to form a union or during first contract negotiations. Your Committees recognize that overwhelming support for the Employee Free Choice Act exists both locally and nationally, with the Hawaii State AFL-CIO as well as over two hundred members of Congress all supporting its passage. Accordingly, your Committees believe that it is necessary for the Legislature to also express its support for the passage of the Employee Free Choice Act to protect and promote the rights of employees in Hawaii, as well as throughout the nation.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Labor and Transportation, Military Affairs, and Government Operations that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 195, and recommend its adoption.