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State unions rally to fight furloughs

By Zahid Arab - bio | email

HONOLULU (KHNL) - It was a monster rally for rights as thousands of Hawaii union employees invaded the state capitol Tuesday evening to fight Governor Linda Lingle's furlough plan, which amounts to 72 unpaid days off the next two years

The atmosphere was electric, but also among the crowd was a feeling of urgency, as together thousands plead with the governor to pick something besides furloughs to make up the state's $688 million shortfall.

It's not just a few employees. It's an invasion of four Hawaii unions. The Hawaii Government Employees Association, Hawaii State Teachers Association, United Public Workers, and The University of Hawaii Public Assembly.

There are teachers.

"I'd like her to explore more options," said Castle High School Teacher Dee Walsh.

And generations of public employees like Kagawa/Gimas. First.

"Lay off of us, she can get money elsewhere, not on the backs of the working people," said Retired State Employee Fran Kagawa.

Second.

"My wife is really scared, what she did is refinance our home," said State Employee Harry Gima.

And third.

"If our teachers get laid off, then we're not going to have as good of an education," said State Employee's Son Kobi Gima.

Together with thousands, they're all concerned. Unions say if the governor takes away the $688 million needed for the shortfall from them, the entire state will suffer.

"The General Excise tax will go down, state income tax revenue will go down," said HSTA President Roger Takabayashi.

Republicans say the state is strapped and raising the General Excise Tax would cost each household an extra $1,500. They argue furloughs are the answer.

"The job market is so tight right now, what we want to do is keep people employed, we think it's the best thing," said House Republican Leader Rep. Lynn Finnegan.

"That message is being echoed in every state that has a republican governor. Every economist in Honolulu has said some cuts will have to take place but the furlough plan the governor has would cause even more damage," said HGEA Executive Director Randy Perreira.

Unions have a court date Thursday, July 2nd, but their contracts expire Tuesday night June 30th.

Still, union leaders say workers will show up July 1st to do their job in good faith and they expect to be paid despite no agreement.