Ratification Certified

From HSTA June 2, 2012

The Hawaii State Teachers Association Board of Directors today certified the May ratification vote that included a turnout of 6,819 members.

The results have been transmitted to Governor Neil Abercrombie, Hawaii State Board of Education Chairman Don Horner, Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi, and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.

“With 66% voting yes on the settlement, HSTA members have strongly affirmed their commitment to protecting Hawaii’s $75 million Race to the Top grant to improve the education and lives of Hawaii’s children,” said teacher and HSTA President Wil Okabe.

The HSTA Board of Directors is composed of members representing teachers from every public school district in the state. This group of member-elected leaders is the highest governing body of the Association that was founded by teachers in 1971.

One of our greatest strengths is the diversity of our members. With members on islands around the state, we bring a wide range of values, experiences, and passion to our Association. Despite our individual priorities, concerns, and needs, we share a commitment to our profession and our students. Read more about the history of HSTA at www.hsta.org.

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SA: HSTA: 54-percent of members participated in contract vote

Okabe Keeps HSTA Voter Turnout Secret When it Suits Him

CB May 25: Okabe has ignored repeated requests for the information, instead relying on misleading statements: "I am pleased to inform you that two-thirds of teachers (66% Yes, 34% No) have ratified the January agreement."

That makes it seem that two-thirds of the union's entire membership voted in favor of the contract proposal. But that can't be verified without turnout numbers.

It's not the first time Okabe has tried to hide voting data.

He did the same thing earlier this month when teachers re-elected him to another three-year term. He sent out a news release simply saying he won. No numbers. Not even a margin of victory.

In that instance, brave HSTA members leaked the results. Only then did teachers learn that turnout was abysmal and the race was quite close.

He was less shy in January when teachers rejected the same contract by a two-to-one margin. More than 70 percent of the state's 12,500 teachers had cast ballots.

Apparently if the details don't suit him, Okabe just doesn't share them.

Read … Nobody Voted so We Won

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HSTA Statement Announcing Voting Results

From www.HSTA.org

Aloha Colleagues, May 23, 2012

I am pleased to inform you that two-thirds of teachers (66% Yes, 34% No) have ratified the January agreement. This vote is a testament that democracy is as strong as ever among the HSTA membership. Mahalo to all members for your participation and solidarity.

I will be informing Governor Neil Abercrombie, Board of Education Chairman Don Horner, and Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi of the results. I am informing U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan that Hawaii’s teachers voted to ratify the contract settlement negotiated with Governor Abercrombie’s administration. Just as teachers reconsidered their position, we are now asking the Governor to reconsider his. Our students deserve nothing less. We will keep you posted on any new developments.

On behalf of the HSTA Board of Directors and Negotiations Team, we thank you as we move forward together.

Mahalo,
Wil Okabe,
President

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Governor Statement on Teacher Vote on Rejected Contract

News Release from www.Hawaii.gov/gov May 23, 2012

HONOLULU –In January 2012, members of the Hawai'i State Teachers Association voted down a tentative agreement. HSTA presented a new proposal to the State in February; the State made a settlement offer in March.

This afternoon HSTA President Wil Okabe informed Governor Neil Abercrombie that teachers voted on the rejected January agreement in what HSTA called a “ratification vote.” The results showed that majority of teachers who voted are now in favor of the contract they previously rejected.

Governor Abercrombie released the following statement:

“Now is a good time for HSTA to submit a new proposal for discussion. When HSTA decides to return to collective bargaining, the vote results will be seriously considered. Our team remains prepared to negotiate.

“The end of the school year is fast approaching. We appreciate the work that our teachers have done for student achievement and we look forward to resolving this labor dispute with their union.”

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SA: Hawaii public school teachers approve contract on second try

AP: Hawaii teachers union approves union contract