UPW, state reach tentative agreement on four-year contract

The United Public Workers and the state have reached a tentative agreement on a new four-year contract.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s spokeswoman, Louise Kim McCoy, confirmed that a tentative agreement had been reached with the blue-collar union but would not provide any additional details. A separate source said the deal would cover four years.

"Now it’s in the hands of the UPW unit 1 membership," McCoy said.

The Hawaii State Teachers Association ratified a new four-year contract this week that could cost the state upwards of $350 million. Lawmakers will be able to consider the new contract for teachers as they finalize the state’s two-year budget next week. Now, lawmakers will at least be aware that a tentative deal has been reached with UPW, which could influence spending decisions on tax incentives and new state programs.