NCJ Number
56959
Journal
Justice System Journal Volume: 4/3 Dated: (SPRING 1979) Pages: 287-294
Date Published
1979
Length
8 pages
Annotation
HAWAII'S EXPERIENCE WITH UNIONIZATION OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES AND, IN PARTICULAR, COURT EMPLOYEES IS UNIQUE BECAUSE THE STATE HAS A COMPLETELY UNIFIED GOVERNMENT CIVIL SERVICE AND THE JUDICIARY'S MANAGEMENT HAS ACTIVELY COOPERATED.
Abstract
HAWAII'S COURT EMPLOYEES ARE COMPLETELY INTEGRATED INTO THE CIVIL SERVICE SYSTEM, AS ARE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH AND ADMINISTRATIVE BRANCH EMPLOYEES. WHEN LEGISLATION WAS ENACTED IN 1970 WHICH RECOGNIZED THE RIGHT OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES TO ORGANIZE FOR THE PURPOSES OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING, COURT EMPLOYEES WERE AUTOMATICALLY INCLUDED. THE LAW SPELLS OUT THE RIGHTS OF BOTH THE EMPLOYEES AND THE MANAGEMENT AND PROVIDES FOR ARBITRATION PROCEDURES. JUDICIARY EMPLOYEES ARE FOUND ALONGSIDE OTHER PUBLIC EMPLOYEES IN 5 OF THE 13 BARGAINING UNITS (2 UNITS OF THE UNITED PUBLIC WORKERS AND 3 UNITS OF THE HAWAII GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATON). CERTAIN PERSONS IN MANAGEMENT POSITIONS AND THOSE CONCERNED WITH CONFIDENTIAL MATTERS ARE EXCLUDED FROM UNION MEMBERSHIP. IN ADDITION, PROVISION WAS MADE FOR A SKELETON STAFF TO ASSIST JUDGES IN CASE OF A STRIKE. THE MAJOR ISSUES ADDRESSED BY THE PUBLIC WORKERS UNIONS HAVE BEEN STANDARDIZED HIRING AND PROMOTION PRACTICES, SENIORITY PROVISIONS, AND A SYSTEM WHEREBY OPENINGS IN OTHER BRANCHES OF THE GOVERNMENT ARE ADVERTISED TO WORKERS ON THE AFFECTED ISLAND BEFORE THE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY IS ADVERTISED TO WORKERS ON OTHER ISLANDS. THE JUDICIARY MANAGEMENT HAS COOPERATED ACTIVELY IN UNION MATTERS AND HAS GIVEN A GREAT DEAL OF ATTENTION TO EMPLOYEE MORALE. THE RESULT HAS BEEN AN ACCOMMODATION MODEL THAT SEEMS TO BE WORKING SUCCESSFULLY.