Joint Statement by HSTA and State on Federal Mediation

News Release from www.Hawaii.gov/gov August 20, 2012

HONOLULU – On August 14, 2012, Governor Neil Abercrombie sent a letter to the Hawai'i State Teachers Association (HSTA) President Mr. Wil Okabe inviting the teachers’ union to engage the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services. Governor Abercrombie said that the invitation “is not about establishing who is right or who is wrong, but rather to re-engage HSTA in discussions which can lead to a resolution of the issues that separate us.”

This evening the HSTA Board of Directors voted to agree to pursue seeking the help of the Federal Mediator. The Federal Mediator provides mediation and conciliation services.

Governor Abercrombie stated:

“I am very pleased that the HSTA leadership has agreed to use the services of the Federal Mediator. This is a step forward, by both sides, to find a solution that will resolve our differences for the sake of our students and school teachers.”

Mr. Okabe stated:

"We would like to announce that our Negotiations Committee and the HSTA Board of Directors have agreed to the Governor's recommendation to enter into federal mediation in an attempt to resolve the current contract dispute. We look forward to beginning the mediation process as soon as possible."

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Announcement posted on HSTA Facebook Page

Dear HSTA Leaders and Members, August 20. 2012
At the Board of Directors meeting held this evening, the HSTA Board authorized President Wil Okabe to accept Governor Abercrombie's August 14 offer of mediation. HSTA looks forward to using federal mediation to assist the parties in reaching a collective bargaining agreement for Hawaii's public school teachers.

Selected Comments from HSTA Facebook Page:

• Matthew Calica Are we supposed to be happy about this? How many years have we been waiting and only now? Pathetic, let me know when you get us a contract that doesn't force us to take on second jobs.
• Michele Sasaki Thanks to the Board & Negotiations Committee for all their hard work. We are all a little cynical about offers from Abby, especially since we got stabbed in the back, but ever hopeful, we'll try this avenue. I cross my fingers & hope that the State & DOE will do right by us. In the meantime, we have power through our actions & our votes. Stand up & speak out for those candidates that care about education & teachers. Get out on Election Day & cast your vote. Realize that you are HSTA, I am HSTA, & WE ARE HSTA.
• Sarah Kamala I have taught on Maui for 11 years and I recently moved to another state to teach somewhere else. This is such nonsense I couldn't take it anymore. For those that cannot leave Hawaii I hope this can be resolved sooner than later. I was so disappointed to move......now I have a living wage cheaper groceries and am buying a house, but I miss my friends, family the children and life in Hawaii.....
• Melinda Ahn Yes HSTA did ask for arbitration and Ambercrummy rejected it! What a snake he is! I get angry every time I see his face! It hurts my heart to know that we will never be given the recognition we deserve! I always go back to my students and their families and they do recognize! We deserve to be able to live with some comfort! Yet we stay, accept more and more work, face it we're suckers, because we love what we are supposed to do, teach students!

KHON: HSTA President announces decision to use federal mediator