STAND. COM. REP. NO. 872

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1011

       S.D. 1

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1011, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to change the manner in which disputes over Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund (EUTF) contributions are resolved.

     Specifically, the measure repeals:

     (1)  The prohibition on arbitration to resolve disputes regarding contributions to the EUTF;

     (2)  The Legislature's role in resolving EUTF contribution disputes through an enactment of law; and

     (3)  The prohibition on the ability of a collective bargaining unit member to participate in a strike over EUTF contributions.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii Government Employees Association, Hawaii State Teachers Association, United Public Workers, and University of Hawaii Professional Assembly.  Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance and one individual.  The Office of Collective Bargaining submitted written comments on the measure.

     Your Committee finds that this measure would allow the use of binding arbitration to end collective bargaining impasses and settle disputes relating to issues such as contributions to the EUTF.

     Your Committee also notes that any legislative committees that may deliberate further on this measure may wish to consider the concerns and proposed amendments offered by the Office of Collective Bargaining in its written comments to your Committee regarding the arbitration panel.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1011, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair