Updated Oct. 23
Voting Results
Employees in Units 2, 3, 4, 13, 14, and 15 who were employed by the County of Kauai during the pandemic voted to ratify a tentative settlement agreement for temporary hazard pay with the county.
Total votes cast: 232
Total yes votes: 202
Percentage: 87%
Mahalo to everyone who voted.
HGEA has reached a settlement tentative agreement for temporary hazard pay with Kauai County that ensures all those who reported to work during the pandemic are considered for THP.
Read Tentative Settlement Agreement
The settlement comes on the heels of an unfair Phase I arbitration decision that excluded many job classifications from eligibility.
It was not easy to get here. We have two options, now:
We can accept this offer that ensures the broadest swath of people are treated fairly. Or we take our chances in Phase II of the arbitration and hope the arbitrator resolves the fairness issue and doesn’t disqualify more job classifications from receiving THP.
Here are the highlights:
- A THP wage differential of 15% will be awarded to employees in Units 2, 3, 4, 13, 14, and 15 who were employed by the County of Kauai at any time from March 4, 2020 to March 25, 2022
- The award will be based on total number of hours worked during the timeframe above
- Telework, vacation, and any other type of leave periods will be excluded
- Includes overtime hours in the calculation of eligible hours
HGEA is NOT making a recommendation on whether you should accept or reject this settlement offer.
Information Session
An informational session regarding this tentative settlement agreement will be held at the HGEA Kauai Division Office:
Wednesday, Oct. 16
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
HGEA Kauai Division Office
3213 Akahi Street, Lihue
Voting Information
Voting to accept or reject this offer is currently scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 17 to Tuesday, Oct. 22 (closes at 4:30 p.m.). Employees eligible to vote will receive an email from ElectionBuddy with a ballot link (non-members should request a ballot).
- All voting will be done through electronic ballot.
- Voting starts on Thursday, Oct. 17 and will remain open until 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 22.
- On Oct. 17, an electronic ballot will be sent to your personal email address from “HGEA Ballot,” with the subject, “BALLOT: HGEA-Kauai County Temporary Hazard Pay Settlement Vote.”
- If you do not see a ballot email in your personal inbox on Thursday, Oct. 17, check your Junk Mail or Spam folder. See instructions on how to request a ballot. Requests for ballots must be received by 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 22 (no later than two hours before the close of electronic voting).
Results will be reported on Wednesday, Oct. 23 after they have been officially certified.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to vote?
To be eligible to vote on this settlement offer, you must meet both of the following criteria:
- Was employed by the County of Kauai entirely or partially during Gov. David Ige’s successive series of Emergency Proclamations from March 4, 2020 to March 25, 2022 in Units 2, 3, 4, 13, 14, and 15.
- Continue to be employed by the County of Kauai in Units 2, 3, 4, 13, 14, and 15.
The criteria above are used solely for determining eligibility for voting on this settlement offer, and it does not exclude you from the settlement payout or arbitration decision. Employees who worked during the emergency proclamation period above but have since left the County of Kauai will still be entitled to compensation.
What is Kauai County offering?
A THP wage differential of 15% will be awarded to employees in Units 2, 3, 4, 13, 14, and 15 who were employed by the County of Kauai from March 4, 2020 to March 25, 2022. It will be based on the minimum step of your salary range during that period.
The award will be based on total number of hours worked during the timeframe above, excluding telework, vacation time, sick leave, leaves of absence, etc.
Who is covered by the proposed settlement?
County of Kauai employees in Units 2, 3, 4, 13, 14 and 15 during Gov. David Ige’s emergency proclamation from March 4, 2020 to March 25, 2022.
If this settlement is approved, when can I expect to receive compensation?
The county council must approve the funding for the payout. We will communicate the payment timetable when we receive it. The THP will be paid as a lump sum to employees, processed as a separate payment from the employee’s regular bi-monthly paycheck. The payment will be subject to taxes.
What happens if the settlement is not approved?
If the majority of the votes cast is “NO,” the settlement will be rejected and we will proceed with Phase II of our arbitration case.
What if I’m retired and left service during the identified period?
THP for former employees will not be processed through the payroll system. A check will be mailed to the last known address you provided to the county.
Will THP compensation count toward my retirement benefits?
The county has no control over the Employee Retirement System calculations. The lump sum payment is creditable for ERS purposes only for employees who became an ERS member before July 1, 2012 pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes, Chapter 88-21.5.
How will the hazard pay differential be calculated?
Based on the contract language, the hazard pay differential payment an employee is entitled to is calculated using the salary amount at the minimum step of the employee’s salary range at the time of the hazard pay exposure and is prorated based on the exposure level (15% or 25%) and number of hours exposed. This means that your hazard pay differential for the pandemic will be calculated using the minimum step of your salary range from the 2020 and 2021 salary schedules.