HI SR59

Requests the Hawaii Labor Relations Board to investigate the grievance arbitration process in public sector collective bargaining, citing concerns about excessive formalism, legalism, and high costs.

Directs investigation into arbitration costs, timelines from grievance filing to arbitrator selection, hearing durations, types of issues presented, arbitrator decision times, appeal frequency, and arbitrator and court reporter fees.

References a recent Hawaii public collective bargaining case that cost parties over $100,000 in arbitrator fees for preliminary motions alone, highlighting concerns about affordability and efficiency.

Requires public employers to provide requested information to the Hawaii Labor Relations Board and mandates a final report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2016 Regular Session.

Emphasizes that the grievance arbitration process should be simplified to provide quick, just, and cost-effective resolution rather than the current legalistic and adversarial approach.