Hawaii firefighters have a new two-year contract giving them 2% pay increases in each of the next two years, one-time bonuses in each of those years and an increase in their regular raises based on years of service.
The government employers and the Hawaii Fire Fighters Association began negotiations in February 2018. When the two sides reached an impasse in June, they agreed to a neutral arbitrator. The arbitrator made a final decision on the new contract April 8.
Because it was decided by arbitration, union members will not vote on the contract. The union represents roughly 2,000 firefighters from each of the four counties and the state Airport Division’s Crash and Rescue unit. The largest of the employers is the City and County of Honolulu with 1,002 union firefighters.
All four counties and the state must approve the additional funding for the contract.