Raises for UPW worry state

Union members win pay hikes, which could spur others to seek parity

By Derrick DePledge

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jan 11, 2013

~~<p>Thousands of public correctional, institutional and health workers will receive pay raises in the next six months under a draft arbitration award that could lead other public employees to seek similar raises.</p>
<p>More than 2,700 state and county employees represented by the United Public Workers will get 3.2 percent raises from January through June. UPW members had rejected 5 percent pay cuts and a greater cost share of health insurance premiums that many other public workers had accepted two years ago to help with the state's budget deficit. Instead, they went to arbitration.</p>
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Thousands of public correctional, institutional and health workers will receive pay raises in the next six months under a draft arbitration award that could lead other public employees to seek similar raises.

More than 2,700 state and county employees represented by the United Public Workers will get 3.2 percent raises from January through June. UPW members had rejected 5 percent pay cuts and a greater cost share of health insurance premiums that many other public workers had accepted two years ago to help with the state's budget deficit. Instead, they went to arbitration. Login for more...