Hawaii Approves Workers' Compensation Agreement With Electrical Workers And Electrical Contractors

Honolulu - The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) announced today a Collectively Bargained Workers' Compensation Agreement (CWBCA) between the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the Electrical Contractors Association of Hawai`i (ECAH). The agreement is designed to improve Hawai`i’s workers’ compensation system for both employers and employees.

At a signing ceremony at the State Capitol, Governor Linda Lingle, DLIR Director Nelson B. Befitel, IBEW local 1186 Business Manager and Financial Secretary Gerald Yuh, ECAH President Steve Watanabe, and six electrical contractors signed a proclamation promoting use of the CWBCA as an alternative workers' compensation system.

Under Hawai`i's workers' compensation laws, unions may negotiate a collective bargaining agreement with contractors that covers issues such as treatment plans, vocational rehabilitation programs, return to work programs, and how claims should be resolved. The DLIR director must approve the CBWCA to ensure it meets requirements of the state Workers' Compensation law.

Earlier this year, the IBEW, ECAH and Seabright Insurance Company approached the state about creating and approving the CBWCA. DLIR worked with the parties to ensure that the agreement provided benefits equal to those provided by state law. Read more at hawaii.gov