Hawaiians told to stay home as police strike

Press, 17 July 1979, Page 8

Hawaiians told to stay home as police strike

NZPA Honolulu Hawaiian islanders were told to stay in their homes on Sunday to cut traffic and the opportunity for crime as officials declared a strike by 1800 policemen a threat to the community. Mack Hamada, chairman of the Hawaii Public Employment Relations Board, said a court would be asked to order the policemen back to work and warned islanders that there were only enough policemen on duty to provide emergency service. Police officers began walking off their jobs on Satur-

day night, and authorities estimated that 95 per cent of the officers scheduled to work the first two shifts on Sunday did not report for work. Assistant Police Chief Edwin Ross of Honolulu said: “We are assuring the community that we do have a nucleus of officers patrolling the streets in an effort to prevent criminal activity, protect the public and answer emergencies and in progress-type calls for service.”

But police officials appealed to the public to remain at home if possible to

cut down on traffic and the opportunity for crime. There was no word frort union officials on how long the walk-out would continue. The walk-out came a week after negotiations broke down over a new agreement to replace the expired award between the four county governments in Hawaii and the Hawaii Organisation ol Police Officers.

The union is seeking a 10 per cent pay rise this year and another 10 per cent boost next year, plus a 70 per cent monthly increase in their car allowance. The average pay for an officer now is $U516,833 a year.