Hawaiʻi  County has signed agreements for COVID-19 hazard pay with the Hawaiʻi Government Employees Association (HGEA) and Hawaiʻi Fire Fighters Association (HFFA).

Additionally, tentative agreements are being finalized with the other two public sector unions representing County employees: the State of Hawaiʻi Organization of Police Officers (SHOPO) and United Public Workers (UPW).

 On Dec. 2, the Roth administration announced an arbitration decision that would provide HGEA members with 15% hazard pay over a six-month period. However, HGEA filed a request for further clarification with the arbitrator that resulted in an amended decision extending the 15% hazard pay to a two-year period. The County and HGEA have now both agreed to accept the latest decision.

Following the conclusion of negotiations with HGEA, similar offers were made to HFFA, SHOPO, and UPW. The County and HFFA signed their agreement on Thursday, while the other unions are following their own internal processes for finalizing their respective hazard pay agreements.

Combined, the hazard pay agreements are anticipated to total approximately $70 million.