LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative announced in a late Friday afternoon press release it would be deferring pay increases and implementing a hiring freeze “in response to uncertainties caused by the economic downturn.” KIUC has deferred pay increases
LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative announced in a late Friday afternoon press release it would be deferring pay increases and implementing a hiring freeze “in response to uncertainties caused by the economic downturn.”
KIUC has deferred pay increases for all salaried non-bargaining employees and managers to at least until the end of the second quarter, the release said. The hiring freeze is effective immediately, but will make exceptions for critical positions that become vacant.
The actions follow a recommendation of Senior Staff to KIUC’s board at the board meeting on Tuesday, the release said.
“The board is doing everything in its power to keep our members’ interest during these trying economic times,” said Dennis Esaki, Board Chairman, in the statement.
“We have a dedicated and hard-working group of employees who work tirelessly to meet the island’s growing electric needs safely, reliably, and at the lowest possible cost,” Esaki said. “This decision is in no way intended to reflect negatively on their performance. We are simply trying to hold the line on the budget, knowing that for many families on Kaua‘i, these are very difficult times economically.”
