AUDIO: Abercrombie Calls Okabe, Proposes Federal Mediation
HSTA President Wil Okabe today on the HSTA Facebook Page released the audio of an August 14 voice mail message from Gov Neil Abercrombie. Hear it >>> HERE
This is Okabe’s message to the HSTA membership:
Aloha members:
Please check your personal emails for an important message from HSTA. A copy of the letter referenced below can be found by clicking the link in the member message email you received. As always, we will be updating our Member Only website with all the information referenced. Until then, please listen to Governor Abercrombie's voice message to President Okabe by listening below.. Mahalo - HSTA
PS -- Our website is being over-hauled! You must re-register to gain access to the Members area. Thanks!
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Member Message:
Dear Colleagues:
Two days ago, I received a phone call from the Governor telling me to expect a letter from him. Yesterday, I received the attached. Today, I am sharing it with you. I will be calling on the HSTA Negotiations Committee and the Board of Directors to fully discuss an appropriate response. I anticipate that occurring on Monday.
Mahalo,
Wil Okabe,
President
The following comments were posted by HSTA members:
- Timothy Totten -- “Since they will not commit to BINDING ARBITRATION there should be no deal....he says" it doesn't bind us" in other words if the state doesn't like the mediators plan oh well the state isn't bond to any agreement by the mediator. If the union agrees to mediation and the mediator sides with the state and the union doesn't Abercrombie will hold that over the union at every press conference he gives.”
- Larry Denis – “Do it!!!!!”
- William Sullivan -- “So, in order words, Abrecrummy is bull-shitting us just like you do, HSTA. Sorry, but you, HSTA leadership, DOES NOT have our backs. You may say you do, but you really don't. HSTA plays the same political game that the state does. I want my many years of dues back, and wish I had the option to stop paying the monthly dues. I could use that $ to pay for food and bills.”
- Michael Fricano II -- “I'm still waiting on the decision of the labor board how long does that take? Seems like they're stalling.”
- Robert Preston -- “There is no reason why HSTA should not ask for binding arbitration, and do it in the media. We should say that we do not want to strike because the keiki need to go to school. To ensure a supersaturated rich learning environment for Hawaii's children uninterrupted by DLOP which is the Democrat word for furlough, we want binding arbitration to settle our labor dispute and not a strike. If I can spin it this good in ten seconds in a post, how well should our overpaid union staff be able to spin it on Channel 2? BINDING ARBITRATION -- why can't we have it? WE'RE GOING NOWHERE NOW.”
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CB: Gov Asks Teachers Union to Try Federal Mediation
HSTA Doing Nothing to Negotiate Contract as Next Expiration Looms
SA 8-16-2012: The public school teachers union plans to wait for the Hawaii Labor Relations Board to decide whether an imposed contract violated members' rights before proceeding with legal or other action.
The executive board of the Hawaii State Teachers Association met earlier this month and delayed further steps while the board ruling is pending.
"We're just waiting for the results," said Wil Okabe, HSTA president.
HSTA previously said it was evaluating whether to pursue legal action against the state or seek a strike authorization vote, as the dispute that began 13 months ago drags on.
It was not clear when the board will rule. The union wrapped up its case before the board in May.
No new negotiations between the state and union are planned…
The lack of movement on the issues means teachers continue working under the "last, best" offer, which expires June 30, 2013.
read … Still Trying to Renegotiate Last Contract
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