HI State Employes are now some of the highest paid?

[1@3_aBc]

Just watched a news broadcast that covered a new item passes by the legislature.
A very recent bill passes both houses making some of our state's employees some of the highest paid in the country.
It appears that some residents are not happy with this move.
It is supposedly still on then gov's desk for signing.
One wonders where they'll get the money?

[Chas]

Devil's advocate here:

Though it's fun to rail against the public employees, don't we all really want what they have?  Good jobs, good benefits, low stress, job security, and a pension with healthcare after years of service?  Private sector jobs used to have that back in the 80's, until the economy was raped by Wall Street and the rich.  It's not that there isn't enough to go around, it's that we've been bled dry and we're now jealous and fighting among ourselves instead of targeting systemic change.

All that is to say, rather than fight the local unions who have somehow held onto a bit of the American dream when it has failed elsewhere, maybe we can influence them to use their power to make the changes we really need for everyone.  Take steps to fill the bowl, instead of fighting over what's left in it.

I'm replying here so as not to derail the Mayor thread.

I can't agree more. Well said.

Do you like your 40 hour workweek? Overtime? Thank a union. People literally DIED for you to have that.

[ChunksterK]

Sure, who wouldn't like a job where there is next to no accountability, you get a raise whether you work hard or not, you get suspended with pay in the rare instance they actually do something about poor behavior/performance, and you get to pick your boss by block voting in the Hawaii Democratic Primary? Oh, and on top of that you get to cruise through the worst economic situation in Hawaii's modern history with a raise and some hacks in the legislature keeping you from being laid off or furloughed.

Please note that I am commenting above specifically in relation to public employees unions. There was a time in this country when unions were a necessity, but the passage of time and corruption within the unions has made that questionable in some cases. I say that from the perspective of someone who witnessed bullying and physical intimidation in a workplace being "organized" by the Teamsters in the 1980's. Fortunately, the election was by secret ballot and the Teamsters lost 2 to 1. Having said all that, I do not preclude the usefulness of unions as a means to dealing with the abuses of Trump and his minions in the current time.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

One wonders where they'll get the money?

Not from me.
My 2nd quarter Excise payment was $8.32.
2nd quarter state estimated, $60.00
What will that pay?  A state worker for an hour or two?

[randomq]

Sure, who wouldn't like a job where there is next to no accountability, you get a raise whether you work hard or not, you get suspended with pay in the rare instance they actually do something about poor behavior/performance[...]

So, CEO? President?

I do agree; the unions need to maintain standards and allow the bottom performers to be fired. Really it would be good marketing for them, and make it more likely for newer industries (like tech) to unionize.

But on a more practical front, the public unions in Hawaii are not going away any time soon. Seeing as how they are just about the only folks with influence over our politicians, maybe we should be seeking change with them, instead of against them.

[eightfingers2.0]

Like having to pay a plumber or electrician for any plumbing or electrical work (unless you do it yourself on the sly)?

Thank a union.

Like the government we have here?

Thank a union.

[Seeb-2]

Threatening somebody’s livelihood at time like this is just going to lead to a lot of useless ugly. How about instead turn all the regulatory jobs that make Hawai’i the worst place to do business in the country to trying to promote And restart the economy

[kalakoa]

https://www.staradvertiser.com/2020/07/1...terialize/

Headline says it all. Who needs "action" when you can just hope the problem goes away?