Mayor Kimo Alameda announced the completion of negotiations with public sector unions for compensation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Mayor recently met with representatives from United Public Workers (UPW) and the State of Hawaiʻi Organization of Police Officers (SHOPO) to sign their hazard pay agreements. Each agreement is similar to those signed earlier with the Hawaiʻi Government Employees Association and Hawaiʻi Fire Fighters Association, with employees receiving 15% pay for hours worked over a two-year period.

In a press release Mayor Alameda said, “Our County workers put themselves at risk during the pandemic providing essential public services, and the issue of hazard pay had been unresolved for too long. Since taking office, I have been meeting with union representatives to work through these issues. I am pleased that we have reached agreements that properly recognizes our employees’ dedication to serving our communities.”

In total, the County conservatively estimates that it will spend up to $70 million on hazard pay for union employees and excluded managers who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic.