STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1334-06

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2006

RE: H.C.R. No. 77

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Labor & Public Employment, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 77 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION SUPPORTING A FAIR AND EQUITABLE CONTRACT FOR UNION WORKERS AT THE HAWAII TRIBUNE-HERALD,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the Hawaii Tribune-Herald and its owner, the Stephens Media Group of Las Vegas, Nevada, to quickly resolve contract differences with union workers and offer a fair contract that will preserve the labor-management relationship.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Newspaper Guild, the Hawaii State AFL-CIO, and ILWU Local 142.

Your Committee finds that the Hawaii Tribune-Herald is a profitable operation, largely because of its loyal work force. Management practices such as making offers that it knows the union cannot accept, prolonging negotiations for twelve to eighteen months and longer, and punishing employees for availing themselves in the meantime of rights accorded under the contract are inimical to the fair and respectful relationship with labor that is necessary to move the paper forward. Your Committee urges the employer to abandon these practices and engage in good faith negotiations toward a new contract that is beneficial to both parties, the economy, and the State.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor & Public Employment that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 77 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor & Public Employment,

 

____________________________

KIRK CALDWELL, Chair