Bill Text: HI HR142 | 2023 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Urging The University Of Hawaii To Strengthen The Center For Labor Education And Research At The University Of Hawaii West Oahu By Establishing A Working Group To Develop A Community-driven Vision For The Centers Programs.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)

Status: (Passed) 2023-03-30 - Resolution adopted in final form. [HR142 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2023-HR142-Introduced.html

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	142
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

urging the university of hawaii TO STRENGTHEN THE CENTER FOR LABOR EDUCATION AND RESEARCH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII WEST OAHU BY ESTABLISHING A WORKING GROUP TO DEVELOP A COMMUNITY-DRIVEN VISION FOR THE CENTERS PROGRAMS.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, the Center for Labor Education and Research (Center) was first established by Act 202, Session Laws of Hawaii 1976 (Act 202), to address the need for specialized education and training by workers and trade union leaders to improve their professional competence and ability to effectively administer their affairs; and

 

     WHEREAS, Act 75, Session Laws of Hawaii 2006, subsequently revamped the higher education statutes and the Center was recodified under chapter 304A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, with similar goals and responsibilities to the original intent of Act 202; and

 

     WHEREAS, existing law requires the Center to:

 

     (1)  Provide credit and noncredit labor studies courses and labor-related research and educational services for workers and their organizations;

 

     (2)  Provide labor-related education to the public;

 

     (3)  Advise and assist in the development and implementation of labor-related instructional programs, courses, and activities for use within the Department of Education, including teacher preparation;

 

     (4)  Develop and implement a labor studies degree program or programs in the University of Hawaii System; and

 

     (5)  Serve as the clearinghouse for labor education matters in the State; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Center is now located on the second floor of the James and Abigail Campbell Library at the University of Hawaii West Oahu; and

 

     WHEREAS, the nationally-recognized faculty at the Center, including its Director, have struggled to meet the goals and purposes of Act 202, due to diminishing resources and support; and

 

     WHEREAS, the State has the highest union membership rates of any state in the nation; and

 

     WHEREAS, the University of Hawaii invests a considerable number of resources in degree-granting programs to provide advanced degrees to employers and human resource managers and business administrators; and

 

     WHEREAS, the University of Hawaii Board of Regents has only recently approved a Labor Studies Certificate program at the University of Hawaii West Oahu for those interested in pursuing an academic labor studies program; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Center's Labor History Archive won the 2016 Reference and User Services Association's John Sessions Memorial Award, which recognizes a library or library system that has made a significant effort to work with the labor community and by doing so has brought recognition to the history and contribution of the labor movement to the development of the United States; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Labor Education Advisory Council advises the Chancellor of the University of Hawaii West Oahu on all activities and programs of the Center and has repeatedly advised the Chancellor of the importance of the Center's purposes, functions, and needs of the labor unions the Advisory Council represents; and

 

     WHEREAS, knowledge and understanding of the laws governing labor organizations and the unique labor history of the State are more important than ever to improve the professional competence of labor union representatives, so that these representatives can better administer their affairs, and intervene wisely to effectively shape the environments at their jobs, in their unions, and in the community; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2023, that the University of Hawaii is urged to strengthen the Center for Labor Education and Research at the University of Hawaii West Oahu by establishing a working group to develop a community‑driven vision for the Center's programs; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group be comprised of the following members:

 

     (1)  The President of the University of Hawaii System, or the President's designee;

 

     (2)  One member of the Labor Education Advisory Council, to be appointed by the Chancellor of the University of Hawaii West Oahu;

 

     (3)  The Director of Labor and Industrial Relations, or the Director's designee;

 

     (4)  One member of the House of Representatives, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representative;

 

     (5)  One member of the Senate, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; and

 

     (6)  Two members of the labor community, to be appointed by the President of the University of Hawaii; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2024; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Director of Labor and Industrial Relations, President of the University of Hawaii System, Chancellor of the University of Hawaii West Oahu, Director of the Center for Labor Education and Research, and members of the Labor Education Advisory Council.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Center for Labor Education and Research; University of Hawaii West Oahu; Working Group