HI SB638

Establishes graduate students employed by the University of Hawaii as a new collective bargaining unit (15) under Hawaii's collective bargaining law, effective December 31, 2016.

Exempts graduate students employed by the University of Hawaii from the existing exclusion of "student help" from collective bargaining coverage.

Requires the Director of Human Resources Development to convene a working group to develop recommendations on specific collective bargaining rights, privileges, compensation, working hours, and whether binding arbitration or strike rights should be granted to graduate student assistants.

Mandates the working group submit its findings and proposed legislation to the legislature no later than twenty days before the 2016 regular session, with the working group ceasing to exist on June 30, 2016.

Sets the general effective date as July 1, 2050, but makes the amendments to establish the new bargaining unit effective December 31, 2016.