Inaugural Post—April 7, 2011
Are Hawaii's native sons and daughters destined to repeat the pattern of acquiescence and capitulation that the kingdom’s founding monarchy fell prey to? Are kama’aina members “going along with the program” just to try and fit in with our adopted host culture? Is it time to consider radical alternatives?
A sad day is upon us, in the aftermath of the recent contract negotiations that apparently left the team chosen to represent us, more than three thousand members strong, forgetful of both its purpose and its strength. Yesterday the negotiating team chose to accept a proposal that, if ratified, will cost us a five percent “wage adjustment,” “administrative time off,” and a huge increase in our health insurance premiums. I am disappointed beyond belief: I for one will vote “NO!” on this unjustified proposal. I have not been convinced the financial picture for the state, and certainly not the counties, is a dire as we are being led to believe. The legislature continues to fund new programs with each passing day. If we are truly broke, shouldn’t we be taking care of current business instead of going off in all directions funding this pet project and that?
I have started this blog to give us, the members, a place to discuss, rant and rave, and explore our options. I am filled with eagerness to connect with fellow members who feel as underrepresented and forgotten by the organization that hungrily accepts our dues each month, and feeds them back to us in the form of rubber chicken dinners and pinochle games as I do. This is your chance, our chance, to speak out, and above all connect, since there is no other place for us.
A labor union is supposed to represent its members, first and foremost, by negotiating the best possible financial contract for its members, by whatever means possible. Whether you consider yourself a democrat or a republican, if you are a member of HGEA, you are a member of the working class… and you are free to call me your friend. I will never forsake you for a free dinner. I’m not saying dinner is bad, I’m just making the point that dinner does not make up for a bad contract.
Our current union appears to be more interested in sponsoring bake sales and providing educational classes on labor contracts that do not teach anyone how to actually effect its primary purpose, which is, once again in case you missed it, to negotiate the best financial contract possible (by whatever means are at our disposal.)
Alone I am nothing but my beliefs, opinions, passion, hopes and fears. Right now I am afraid, terribly afraid, of the consequences a ratification of the proposed agreement will bring down on our heads.
Together though, together, we may have a chance to change the seemingly inevitable slide down into financial ruin that the Governor and the legislature seem hell-bent on thrusting upon us. Again I ask, is it time to consider the alternatives?
In the coming days and weeks, let us discuss. Let us consider our options. Let us not hammer the nails into our own coffins. Let us vote to NOT ratify this tentative agreement.
Maybe there is someone out there who can convince me to do otherwise. If so, I’d love to hear from you.
In solidarity,
Livit Callentine
Unit 13, Maui
