FAQs

Where do my member dues go?

Your union dues go toward: protection of your worker rights and benefits (including health insurance, sick leave, paid vacation and retirement benefits); contract negotiations for pay raises, benefits and safer working conditions; workplace representation to ensure your rights are protected; and value-added benefits such as educational scholarships and travel discounts.

Do I have to sign up in order to be an HGEA member? 

Yes. In order to receive the full benefits of HGEA, employees must complete an HGEA membership form and sign up to become a member. With your membership you will receive additional discounts and benefits that makes being part of HGEA even more rewarding. View the core benefits that membership provides here.

To sign up for new membership, click here.

How are dues calculated?

Monthly Dues Rate for Bargaining Unit Membership*

Full-time HGEA Bargaining Unit Employee (21 or more regular work hours per week):
Units 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 13, 14 or 15 . . . (.008 x straight-time monthly salary + $15.55 monthly AFSCME affiliation fee)

Part-time HGEA Bargaining Unit Employee (20 regular work hours per week):
Units 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 13, 14 or 15 . . . (.008 x straight-time monthly salary + $11.60 monthly AFSCME affiliation fee)

*Subject to change.

Do I owe dues if I am on authorized LWOP (leave without pay)?

No, dues may be waived if an HGEA member is on authorized LWOP. For more specific questions, please email membership@hgea.org or call your local HGEA office. (Note: This applies to bargaining unit members only.)

What are my total dues paid for the year for tax purposes?

Contact Member Services to calculate and/or confirm the amount for the year. Email membership@hgea.org or call your local HGEA office.

What is the advantage of being an HGEA member?

As an HGEA member, not only will you receive the benefit of representation, collective bargaining, and contract enforcement by HGEA’s professional staff, you will also be eligible to receive a variety of products and services at attractive group discounts, and lower rates on auto, homeowners, and life insurance. In addition, you will be able to participate in subsidized sports leagues, fun family events, fellowship activities and recreational classes. We also provide education and training on various subjects, as well as eligibility for local and national scholarships, including the Charles R. Kendall Scholarship.

Am I still an HGEA member?

To check your current membership status, log in to the Member Dashboard. If you are able to log in, then you are currently a member. If you are unable to obtain access, then your membership has most likely lapsed. Since there are a variety of reasons this could have occurred, please email HGEA at membership@hgea.org or call your local HGEA office.

I’m not a State or County employee — can I still join HGEA to take advantage of the benefits program?

Yes. Because HGEA offers a host of member benefits including retail discounts, recreational activities (i.e. sports leagues), insurance plans and scholarship opportunities, many non-state or county employees choose to join our membership. “Associate” members include individuals who are Private-white collar, Non-HGEA bargaining unit, Federal, Retirees, Spouses, Excludeds, Appointed/Elected officials, Non-profit organizations and East-West Center employees. Membership dues vary from $3.00 – 31.00 per month.

To check whether you qualify to become an Associate member, please call your local HGEA office. To sign up for new membership, click here.

I will be leaving government service. Can I remain a member? What do I need to do? How much will my dues be?

Yes, you are able to continue as an HGEA member. There are several different types and rates for our associate membership program. For specific rates contact Members Services by email at membership@hgea.org or call your local HGEA office.

I have recently changed my mailing/home address, name, phone number, place of employment or employment status — do I have to do anything?

Yes. Please be sure to immediately inform HGEA of any changes to your contact information or employment, as well as the effective date of change. It is very important that we have your current information so that we can communicate all updates and announcements with you in a timely manner. Also, a change in employment status may affect your dues and benefits. Simply email the changes to membership@hgea.org or call your local HGEA office.

I did not receive or I misplaced my HGEA membership card — how do I get one?

You can either email HGEA at membership@hgea.orgor call your local HGEA office. Please provide your name and current home and/or mailing address. No work address please. It takes about 3 to 4 weeks to process and mail a membership card. If you have not received your membership card after 4 weeks, please be sure to contact us. In special circumstances, if it is vital that you receive your card immediately (sooner than the 3-4 week period), please call your local HGEA office.

I’m calling to report the death of an HGEA member.

The survivor of the member should contact your HGEA Island Division Office. If the member was carrying insurance through Royal Insurance Company, AMFirst (Morgan White) now services the former RSI policies for AD&D, Group term life, Speciality Group term life, and Royal Group term life (some former policies bought through RSI are being serviced directly by the carrier), a DTRIC or American Income Life policy, they should contact them directly: AmFirst Insurance 465-2333 or 844-448-3783 or DTRIC AUTO 951-1700 or American Income Life 1 800  433-3405. Also, have them report this to ERS. We may request that you provide us with a copy of the death certificate.

What benefits are offered for members?

HGEA provides a variety of additional benefits just for being an HGEA member. This includes discounted insurance options from local companies such as DTRIC and American Income Life, subsidized sports leagues, fun family events, fellowship activities and recreational classes, and discounts and promotions with a variety of businesses including movie tickets, and educational scholarships and grants for members and their dependents. 

I have a question on my insurance plan — who do I call?

For questions regarding your medical insurance plan, please call Hawaii Employer-Union Health Trust Fund (EUTF) at 586-7390 or toll free (808) 295-0089 or email eutf@hawaii.gov.

For questions regarding your auto/home owner insurance, please call DTRIC at (808) 951-1700.

For questions regarding your other insurance plans please call AmFirst (Morgan White) at 465-2333 or (844) 448-3783 or American Income Life 1-800-433-3405.

I received a payment reminder notice, cancel notice and/or statement — what do I do?

Please email HGEA at membership@hgea.org or call your local HGEA office immediately so we can assist you. If your membership dues are outstanding, your insurance and/or other member benefits may be terminated.

I/my parent signed up for insurance, but I don’t know what kind.

Contact AmFirst 465-2333 or (844) 448-3783, American Income Life 1-800-433-3405 or DTRIC (808) 951-1700 directly.

What types of discounts are available for HGEA members?

For a complete list of member discounts, go to Member Discounts under Benefits & Programs.

Do you need your HGEA membership card to qualify for the discounts?

Yes, for most discounts your HGEA membership card or membership number is required. A mobile version of your membership card is available on your Member Dashboard when you log in to the the HGEA website.

If I don’t have access to a computer, how can I get a listing of discounts?

Our website is mobile friendly for your iPhone or Android. Or call or visit your local HGEA office and we will be happy to help.

How do I use the AFSCME discounts?

Many of the mainland discounts are provided by our national union, AFSCME. For a complete list, visit www.afscme.org/members/advantage. Discount tickets must be purchased online ahead of time and will be mailed to the member.

Do you offer discounted movie tickets? If so, where can I pick them up?

Yes, we offer Consolidated and Regal tickets. Please feel free to stop by your local HGEA office from 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Oahu - 4th floor). If you can’t make it to our offices, staff may be able to bring tickets to you if they are in your area.

Who do I call if I have any questions?

Please call the Member Service Center at (808) 543-0000 or email service@hgea.org. Members on Hawaii, Maui and Kauai can also contact your island division office for assistance.

What bargaining unit do I belong to and how do I find my contract and salary schedule?

Log in to the Member Dashboard and look for the box labeled My Contract. It will tell you the bargaining unit you belong to, as well as provide links to your current & previous contracts & salary schedules.

What are Weingarten Rights?

Weingarten Rights are an employee’s right to representation. An employee has the right to have union representation during a meeting with management when the employee believes the meeting might lead to disciplinary action. For more info, click here.

I’m currently an HGEA member and I’m going to retire soon — will I automatically become a Retirees Unit member?

No. You must let us know that you are retiring so that we can change your employment status on our records and sign you up for the Retirees Unit. If not, your union dues will lapse and any HGEA-sponsored insurance plans, such as group life insurance, will be terminated.

I am retiring soon — why should I join the Retirees Unit?

If you currently have any HGEA-sponsored insurance plans, such as group life insurance, it’s important that you sign up for the Retirees Unit or your benefits will be terminated.

Over 9,200 former employees of the State and County government have all joined the HGEA Retirees Unit. Together they lobby to protect your public pension, improve retirement benefits and help elect government officials who understand the needs of retired public employees.

Membership also allows you to enjoy the same discounts & benefits as active members (i.e. Retail discounts and social and recreational activities such as field trips, workshops, bingo, neighbor island trips, etc.). For more information or to join the HGEA Retirees Unit, please call your local HGEA office.

I’m not currently an HGEA member — how do I join the Retirees Unit?

Anyone who has retired from the workforce can join HGEA in the Retirees Unit. For membership dues, see “How much are the dues for the Retirees Unit?” below.

To check whether you qualify to join the Retirees Unit, please call your local HGEA office.

To sign up for new membership, click here.

How much are the dues for the Retirees Unit?

The membership monthly dues are only $6.00 for all Retiree members.

What is eBlast?

eBlast is HGEA's email newsletter for members that provides up-to-date union news and activities as well as information on member benefits and discounts. We strongly encourage members to subscribe to eBlast to receive the latest union news and information. You will receive a weekly eBlast email with HGEA announcements, and additional eBlasts if there are urgent or timely news regarding such topics as your contract and benefits.

In order to subscribe to the eBlast, you MUST be an HGEA member, and registered through our website.

How do I sign up to receive eBlast?

Log in to the Member Dashboard. You will be asked to register for a members only website account, and as part of the registration process, you also will be asked if you would like to receive the eBlast. Please enter a home email address.

Or you can also go to our homepage and click on the eBlast link at the top.

If you have already registered for an HGEA website members only account, please log in, go to My Profile and click on Update My Profile to update your email setting and choose to subscribe to eBlast.

How do I change my email address for eBlast?

If you already have an HGEA website members only account, please log in and go to My Profile and click on Update My Profile to update your email setting. If you have not registered for an HGEA website account and just wish to change your email address, please contact the HGEA IT department at helpdesk@hgea.org.

What is the Member Dashboard?

The Member Dashboard on the website provides HGEA members with online access to members only information — their bargaining unit information (contracts, salary schedule, unit board members, etc.), benefits (itemized list of selected benefits with the payment method/schedule and employer subsidy, if any), elected lawmakers, employment info, and more.

How do I register for online access on the HGEA website?

To register for an HGEA website members only account, go to HGEA.org Account Registration under Join HGEA and follow the registration procedure. In order to register, you must be an HGEA member in good standing.

I can’t log in or I need a password.

If you are unable to log in to the Member Dashboard, please reset your password by going to "Forgot username or password" in the login box. Once you have reset your password, an email will be sent to the address you have registered with your username and a new password. If you do not receive the email or continue to have trouble logging in, please contact the HGEA IT Department at helpdesk@hgea.org.

What is AFSCME & AFL-CIO?

AFSCME (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees) is the nation’s largest and fastest growing public services employees union with more than 1.6 million active and retired members. AFSCME’s members provide the vital services that make America happen. With members in hundreds of different occupations, AFSCME advocates for fairness in the workplace, excellence in public services and prosperity and opportunity for all working families.

HGEA members voted to affiliate with AFSCME in 1971. Today, HGEA is one of over 3,400 local unions within AFSCME. For more information, visit the AFSCME website at www.afscme.org.

AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations) is a voluntary federation of local affiliate unions and councils in each state. The Hawaii State AFL-CIO is one of 51 state federations operating under a charter granted by the AFL-CIO.

Where do I park for the downtown HGEA Oahu office (in Kendall Building)?

The downtown HGEA office is located at 888 Mililani St. (Kendall Building), 4th Floor. HGEA offers validated parking at the 345 Queen St. garage (next to the Kendall Building) between 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. for certain events and visits. Metered parking is also available on Mililani St. Sorry, validated parking is not available during Stop Work Informational Meetings (SWIMs) and ratification meetings. Please call 543-0000 to check if validated parking is provided for your visit.

Is HGEA a credit union?

No. HGEA stands for “Hawaii Government Employees Association” — we are the largest labor union in the State of Hawaii. We represent most State & County government workers in order to protect/maintain their employee rights and benefits.