https://westoahu.hawaii.edu/clear                             email: clear@hawaii.edu

UNIVERSITY OF HAWAIʻI
CENTER FOR LABOR EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

ACT 202, SECTION 1. Regular Session of 1976 A Bill for an Act Relating to Labor Education at the University of Hawai'i.
    Findings and Purpose. ARTICLE XII of the Constitution of the State of Hawai'i grants every worker in private and public employment, the right to organize for the purpose of collective bargaining. In accord therewith, a large portion of the labor force of this State belongs to and is represented by a variety of trade unions whose governance, administration, operations, and activities are to a large extent, regulated by a variety of state and federal laws, rules, regulations, and policies. The collective bargaining process, whether successful or unsuccessful, vitally affects the citizenry of our State. The contributions of organized labor to the improvement of the social, political, and economic well-being of our citizenry have been substantial.
    The expressed need and desire for specialized education and training by workers and leaders of trade unions to improve their professional competence in order to effectively administer their affairs, to improve their ability to intervene wisely in shaping their environment on the job, in their unions, and in the community while commendable, has neither been adequately nor effectively addressed by educational institutions of the State. Moreover, the substantial contributions by organized labor to the improvement of the social, political, and economic well-being of our citizenry is largely unknown by the public at large. It is urgent that the need for specialized labor education be provided by the University of Hawai'i. This legislation is designed to enable the University to so provide.

CURRENT STATUTE AS AMENDED:

    §304A-1601 Center for labor education and research. There is established at the University of Hawai'i, West O'ahu campus, the center for labor education and research. The center shall:
  1. Provide credit and non-credit 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 therefor;
  4. Develop and implement a labor studies degree program or programs in the University of Hawai'i system; and
  5. Serve as the clearinghouse for labor education matters in the State.
    The center shall be located in and be a part of the University of Hawai'i, West O'ahu . The affairs and operations of the center shall be administered by a director appointed by and responsible to the chancellor of the University of Hawai'i, West O'ahu. The center shall draw on existing personnel within the state government insofar as possible for necessary supplementation. Where bonafide demand for programs and services exceeds the capabilities of the permanent staff as supplemented, additional personnel resources may be acquired on a contract basis without regard to chapters 76 and 77. Permanent staff shall be covered by chapters 76 and 77, or section 304-13, as may be appropriate.
    The center shall receive the full cooperation of all state agencies in the use of staff members, facilities, and other resources necessary to accomplish the purposes of this part.[L 1976, c 202; am L 1996, c 276, § 1; L 2006, c 75, pt of §2]

    §304A-1602 Functions and programs. (a) In consultation with the labor education advisory council, the center shall:

  1. Coordinate, arrange for, or conduct evaluation of existing center programs of instruction for refinement, develop new courses of instruction, and plan their implementation on a continuing basis;
  2. Coordinate, arrange for, or conduct instructional programs including classes, courses, workshops, seminars, and research studies or projects;
  3. Coordinate, arrange for, or provide technical assistance to trade unions to improve or implement labor education programs within their organizations;
  4. Prepare and disseminate educational information and publications on various subjects of concern and interest to workers and their organizations;
  5. Develop or acquire the means necessary to offer credit and non-credit labor studies programs via distance education throughout the State;
  6. Develop or acquire and promote the dissemination of labor-related information and programs through the various public media (radio, television, newspapers, public and private organizations, clubs, etc.); and
  7. Coordinate, arrange for, or conduct credit and non-credit teacher preparation classes to enable relevant and reliable department of education instruction in labor-related educational courses, programs and activities.
    (b) Notwithstanding chapters 42D, 103, and 103D, the director of the center may limit the center's contracts for any publication and stationery work that may be necessary to accomplish the aims described in subsection (a) to contractors whose employees are represented by a representative duly elected under applicable federal or state labor laws for collective bargaining purposes. [L 1976, c 202; am L 1996, c 276, § 2; L 2006, c 75, pt of §2]

    §304A-1603 Labor education advisory council. There is established a labor education advisory council, consisting of not more than fifteen members, broadly representative of the trade union movement in the State, who shall be appointed by the president of the university. The council shall be advisory to the chancellor on all activities and programs of the center and shall assist the chancellor in the assessment and evaluation of program needs for implementation. Members of the council shall designate its chairperson and shall serve without compensation; provided, however, that such actual traveling and other expenses incurred in the performance of their duties shall be advanced or reimbursed. [L 1976, c 202; am L 1996, c 276, § 3; L 2006, c 75, pt of §2]

    §304A-2267 Revolving fund. There shall be established a revolving fund to be known as the center for labor education and research revolving fund, for use by the director of the center with the approval of the chancellor or vice-chancellor in carrying out the purposes of the center. All fees, charges, and other moneys collected in conjunction with the operations of the center shall be deposited in the revolving fund. Such amounts shall be expended from the fund by the director of the center as may be necessary to defray the cost of operating the center, excluding compensation of the permanent staff, but including contractual obligation, rentals, and such other program costs as approved by the chancellor or vice chancellor. [L 1976, c 202; am L 1996, c 276, § 4; L 2006, c 75, pt of §2]


Historical Note: Act 202 was approved and signed by Governor George Ariyoshi on June 7, 1976. The first appropriation provided $250,000 (UOH 101) for the establishment of the center. Section 3 of Act 202 originally provided for a staff "including but not limited to seven permanent positions to constitute the center's core staff.")


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