HECO Union Voting on Contract

Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) and its subsidiaries, Maui Electric Company (MECO) and Hawaiian Electric Light Company (HELCO) have reached a tentative settlement in their labor contract as of Monday, according to a HECO news release.

Union members, which make up 54 percent of HECO employees, are voting today (Wednesday), Thursday and Friday on the new contract offer, as reported in KHON2.com.

The union, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1260, represent the 1,300 employees currently on strike.

Union members have stated that the key issues for them included company proposals to raise the retirement age from 60 to 62, and a plan for a two-tier wage structure that would pay future hires less than what current employees make, according to Hawaii News Now.

The HECO release also gave information that all customer outage reports will continue to be investigated and repairs made as needed. To report an outage on Molokai, call MECO at 1-877-871-8461.

Customers can continue to call the Customer Assistance Center for help.  Business hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday at MECO.

Customers can utilize the following payment options: mail; automatic bill payment (forms available at www.heco.com); online payment via www.heco.com; charge or debit card (service charges apply); residential customers call 1-888-813-2207; and commercial customers call 1-888-813-2215.

Requests to start electric service will require a minimum of 48 hours’ notice. Customers should plan ahead as service will only be turned on the same day in emergency situations.

Most electric meters will not be read during a strike and bills may be estimated based on past usage. Any difference from your actual electricity use will be adjusted the next time we do read your meter.