This year, seven priority issues will guide the work of the ILWU during the 2012 Legislative Session. Some of our priorities have not changed from previous years. Issues like worker retention, supporting senior programs and protecting workers’ compensation still hold significance to the betterment of our lives.
Hawaii is proud of all things “local”, but as one of the most oil dependent states, we have given up more of our independence. No more. We are a free people and we must declare our independence from imported oil, high prices, and the minority outside influences that try to tell us what is good for our islands.
Electric rates in Hawaii are the highest in the nation. Seventy-five percent of our electricity comes from petroleum products. Last year, we sent $7 billion of our money outside the state to pay for oil.
Our top 2012 legislative priority is to support legislation that promotes local renewable energy resources and a grid that will connect all of us creating true Local Power.
1. Renewable energy resources. Support legislation for development of renewable energy resources such as wind, geothermal, solar, biofuels, biomass, ocean thermal energy conversio etc. and the infrastructure needed to sustain a statewide power grid.
2. Worker retention. Support legislation to protect jobs and employment when companies are purchased, ownership or management changes, a lease is transferred, or assets are sold and/or transferred and the business operations continue in a similar manner as under the previous owner or management.
3. Workers’ Compensation.
a. Maintain the existing “presumption clause” in the Workers’ Compensation law.
b. Require mutual agreement of the claimant and the insurer for selection of a physician to perform an Independent Medical Examination (IME). Establish panels of medical providers to assist claimants in the selection of an IME physician. Provide that a rating shall not be performed at the same time as the IME.
c. Provide that injured workers receive Temporary Total Disability (TTD) payments and medical treatment while their claims are under investigation or appeal. If compensability is later denied, the claimant will not be held liable for reimbursement of benefits earlier paid. Provide for timely payments when a claim is made.
d. Provide that, if an injured worker is initially denied compensability then awarded compensability on appeal, the cost of the appeal will be paid by the insurer.
e. Address the problem of physicians declining to accept injured workers as patients because of the “paperwork” and/or the medical fee schedule under the Workers’ Compensation law.
ILWU Kauai Division representatives at the 2012 Opening Day of the State Legislature on January 18. (L-r) Unit 3410 - Wilcox Memorial Hospital Unit Chairperson Doreen Kua, District 16 (Niihau, Lehua, Koloa, Waimea) Representative Dee Morikawa, Kauai Division Director Michael Machado, and retired Business Agent Jesus Guirao.
4. Harbor development. Strong support for development of harbors throughout the State of Hawaii, based on priorities established by the HHUG study. Priority should be given to the development and maintenance of facilities to sustain the growth of manifested cargo operations without compromising safe working conditions for workers.
5. Senior programs. Strong support for programs to address the needs of the growing population of seniors and the disabled. Such programs include Kupuna Care, caregiver support, protection of the vulnerable elderly, resources for caregivers and care recipients, etc.
6. Transient Accommodation Tax (TAT). Oppose the State “taking” the counties’share of the TAT.
7. Rail transit. Reaffirm support for the rail transit project on Oahu by supporting, if necessary, retention of the .5% general excise tax (GET) assessed only in the City & County of Honolulu beyond the 12/31/2022 sunset. Oppose the State “taking” or “redirecting” the rail tax.
