Public Workers’ Strike in Hawaii Curbs Services

Tax refunds and unemployment claims were delayed and libraries were closed Monday when more than 13,000 state and county workers went on strike for the first time in the 60-year history of the Hawaii Government Employees Assn.

The union is seeking a minimum 8% pay raise over two years, twice what the state and counties have offered.

Representatives from both sides ended negotiations early Monday, and picket lines went up around the state. The negotiators remained on call, however, said Russell Okata, executive director of the government employees union.

“We have told the membership the success of the strike depends on solidarity, but they should be prepared for a long strike,” Okata said as he joined the picket line outside the Honolulu Municipal Building.

Gov. John Waihee said he regretted the walkout.

“There are rarely winners in any strike,” he said.

The strike affected everything from health clinics to municipal golf courses to the issuance of licenses and permits.

State offices where people normally have until April 20 to drop off tax returns were closed, and officials said taxpayers would have to use the mail, which could take them longer to receive refunds.

Public schools remained open and police and firefighters were not striking, as unions representing teachers, firefighters and police officers accepted the 4% offer.

But 6,700 other workers, many of them in non-teaching positions at the University of Hawaii, were expected to join the strike Friday.

The state’s tourism industry was not expected to be affected, officials said, because all employees vital to airport operations were declared essential and forbidden to strike. People flying to the Mainland were advised to get to the airport up to two hours early, however.

Others deemed essential were police dispatchers, lifeguards, security guards, school health aides and hospital X-ray technicians.

Golfer Henry Ally, who usually plays at the Ala Wai course Wednesdays and Fridays, took the disruption in stride.

“I hope I can play on Wednesday, but I’m skeptical,” he said.