LINK: Contract for the Future

HSTA: Abercrombie Proposal Offers Little Hope

From HSTA Facebook page, November 16, 2012

Today we met with the Employer for our first bargaining session for the 2013-2015 contract. The State has talked about systemic change to improve public education. We are concerned that many of the State’s proposals do not further the interests of public education, or help advance student learning. We are also concerned that despite the improvement in the state’s economy, the State’s proposal offers little hope for teachers. This is especially true, given the four years of deep sacrifices by teachers. The State proposal appears to ask even more sacrifices by teachers.

HSTA will need time to carefully analyze the State’s 103-page proposal, as part of our due diligence. After hearing the State’s initial explanation, it raises many new concerns and questions.

HSTA is hosting a series of statewide Teacher Town Hall meetings this week asking our teachers on what types of meaningful improvements can truly advance student learning.

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Governor’s Statement on the Resumption of Collective Bargaining with HSTA

News Release from www.Hawaii.gov/gov November 16, 2012

HONOLULU –Governor Neil Abercrombie today issued the following statement regarding the resumption of collective bargaining with HSTA.

Governor Abercrombie stated:

“The state and HSTA returned to the table on Nov. 14 for what I understand were productive negotiations regarding our proposal presented to HSTA in July 2012. I was disappointed to hear HSTA characterize the meetings otherwise in the media.

“The state has repeatedly asked HSTA to return to the bargaining table. We were encouraged to once again resume negotiations.

“Following Wednesday’s session, the state immediately proposed three dates in November to resume collective bargaining negotiations; however, HSTA declined to meet in November and instead proposed meeting next month. The state team committed to meeting on the first date proposed by HSTA and is willing to meet on all available dates in order to advance negotiations.

“As always, our priorities are Hawaii’s students and teachers. Together with the Superintendent and BOE, I share the goal of achieving an agreement that reflects the importance of teachers’ contributions to student achievement.  We look forward to a positive resolution.

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Larry Price: Hawaii’s Strong Teachers Union

In the president’s other home state, Chicago, 26,000 teachers participated in the first major school walkout there in more than 25 years. Chicago schools reopened Sept. 19 after they approved a new pact that covers three years with the option for a fourth, which also provided 17 percent raises over four years.

Beware. For more than a year Hawaii State Teachers Association has been locked in a “go-nowhere” negotiation. If no one is watching, what’s going to happen next will affect the future of public education in Hawaii. The tension is building because teachers are working under a “last best offer” from the governor. HSTA filed a petition asking the Hawaii Supreme Court to order the state Labor Relations Board to issue a decision on its complaint against the state.