Hawaii Island Mayor Kimo Alameda has signed agreements with the Hawaii Government Employees Association and Hawaii Fire Fighters Association for COVID-19 hazard pay.

What You Need To Know

  • Hawaii Island Mayor Kimo Alameda has signed agreements with the Hawaii Government Employees Association and Hawaii Fire Fighters Association for COVID-19 hazard pay

  • Tentative agreements were being finalized with two other unions representing county employees, the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers and United Public Workers

  • In total, the hazard pay agreements are anticipated to reach roughly $70 million

  • HFFA President Bobby Lee said, “This is a big deal for our members. They worked really hard during the pandemic, responding to COVID cases, and dealing with getting sick and taking it home to their families.”

Tentative agreements were being finalized, with two other unions representing county employees, the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers and United Public Workers.

Alameda says the agreements fulfill his promise to settle hazard pay fairly with all employees.

“With these agreements, we are recognizing the hard work of our county employees,” said Alameda in a release. “Our employees go above and beyond supporting our communities, and we are committed to showing deep respect for their contributions. Importantly, we are also upholding our contractual obligations, ensuring consistency with other jurisdictions, and strengthening our partnerships so that we can move forward together.”

An issue under the previous administration, according to the release, outgoing Mayor Mitch Roth on December 2 addressed the hazard pay negotiation by announcing an arbitration decision that would provide HGEA members with a 15% hazard pay over a six-month period.

HGEA then filed a request “for further clarification with the arbitrator that resulted in an amended decision extending the 15% hazard pay to a two-year period” per the release. Under Alameda, the county and HGEA have agreed to accept the latest decision.

“On his final day in office, then-Mayor Mitch Roth applauded an unjust decision, which he knew would allow the county to duck its contractual obligations,” HGEA Executive Director Randy Perreira said. “Our members showed up to work throughout the pandemic putting their own health — as well as that of their loved ones — at substantial risk to keep services running for the public.”

Perreira added, “Mayor Kimo Alameda has been fair and consistent throughout the discussions we have had on this issue. He is truly a mayor of the people who values the work done by the employees in his charge.”

Similar offers were made to HFFA, SHOPO and UPW after negotiations with HGEA concluded. The county and HFFA signed their agreement last Thursday. Other unions are finalizing their hazard pay agreements.

After thanking Alameda, HFFA President Bobby Lee said fire fighters showed up to work throughout the pandemic and responded to calls for residents sick with COVID-19.

“This is a big deal for our members,” said Lee. “They worked really hard during the pandemic, responding to COVID cases, and dealing with getting sick and taking it home to their families. We appreciate everything Mayor Alameda has done to make this happen.”

The hazard pay agreements are ecpected to reach roughly $70 million.