In HGEA’s largest temporary hazard pay win to-date, a significant number of the 7,800 Department of Education employees organized into Units 2, 3, 4, 9 and 13 have been awarded hazard pay at the highest rate, amounting in many cases to 25% of their base salary for the duration of Gov. Ige’s emergency proclamation from March 4, 2020 to March 25, 2022.
We are still reviewing the decision to determine the full scope of the award. While this decision excludes Unit 6 and charter schools, rest assured that we are pursuing THP for these members.
In October 2022, HGEA prevailed against Maui County in our dispute for hazard pay for more than 1,300 workers. Our members in that case have already been paid out by the county. In October 2023, an arbitrator in our case against Kauai County conceded that our members in that jurisdiction faced a hazard. A pending follow-up case will determine payout eligibility. HGEA has numerous outstanding arbitrations, including in Hawaii County and the state executive branch.
“The arbitrators thus far have been unanimous: our members faced severe hazards over the course of the pandemic to keep government operating, and they deserve compensation,” said HGEA Executive Director Randy Perreira.
We continue our fight with the remaining jurisdictions to secure THP for employees who risked their health and safety during the pandemic and remain hopeful for the potential of a universal settlement.
More information on pending cases is available on our THP Updates page.
