Roth announces $10.7 million savings for county from arbitration with Hawaiʻi Government Employees Association

Mayor Mitch Roth, on his last day in office on Monday, announced that after nearly two years of negotiations, Hawaiʻi County reached an agreement with the Hawaiʻi Government Employees Association that would save the county $10.7 million from a previous offer.

Roth’s administration reported it was a nearly $15 million difference since the beginning of the arbitration process.

“This decision marks a pivotal moment for our county,” said Roth in his announcement. “These savings ensure that the resources we’ve worked so hard to preserve will remain available to tackle our community’s most pressing needs.”

New Hawaiʻi County Mayor Kimo Alameda, who was sworn in after noon today, and his administration will take over ongoing arbitration with three additional public unions currently under negotiation.

Roth and his team navigated these complex negotiations throughout his 4 years as mayor with a commitment to fairness, sustainability and maintaining essential services for the community.

“Leadership is about making the hard decisions that honor both the contributions of our dedicated workers and the long-term well-being of our residents,” Roth said. “We’ve been at the table every step of the way, advocating for fair, equitable solutions while protecting the critical services that our community depends on.”

He expressed deep gratitude to county employees and the public for their support during his administration.

“Our achievements — from navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic to reducing poverty, improving our parks and prioritizing public safety — are a direct result of the incredible work of our county ‘ohana,” Roth said. “I have every confidence that Mayor Alameda and his team will build on these successes with innovation and aloha.”

It’s been an honor for Roth to serve the Big Island community.

“I wish Mayor Alameda and his administration great success as they take the reins,” he said.