Select an option below to continue reading this premium story.
Already a Honolulu Star-Advertiser subscriber? Log in now to continue reading.
The Chinese say a government job is like having an iron rice bowl. But President Donald Trump’s pressurized buyout offer to federal government employees has blown that perception to smithereens, big time. Federal workers must now live with the same uncertainty and lack of job security as their counterparts in the private sector workforce.
State of Hawaii employees have faced similarly unpleasant disruptions to their lives and careers under Govs. Ben Cayetano and Linda Lingle. The Cayetano administration ordered layoffs of new hires and, based on seniority, bumped unionized state workers down into absurd job categories unrelated to their skills. It wasn’t fun. You’ve got to feel aloha for the people affected.
Charles Kerr
Kalama Valley
EXPRESS YOURSELF
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser welcomes all opinions. Want your voice to be heard? Submit a letter to the editor.
>> Write us: We welcome letters up to 150 words, and guest columns of 500-600 words. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and length. Include your name, address and daytime phone number.
>> Mail: Letters to the Editor, Honolulu Star-Advertiser 7 Waterfront Plaza, 500 Ala Moana, Suite #7-500 Honolulu, HI 96813
>> Contact: 529-4831 (phone), letters@staradvertiser.com, staradvertiser.com/editorial/submit-letter