UH readies for With a faculty strike looming in 10 days, the University of Hawaii has begun preparing students and nonunion employees for the possibility that some 3,100 faculty members may form picket lines at the campuses' main entrances.
possible faculty strike
UH will try to operate normally;
By Treena Shapiro
both sides will meet again
with a federal mediator
Star-BulletinLetters were sent to students today explaining what would happen in the event of a strike, and UH's Web site will be updated with current information.
So far, the university will try to operate as normal. Facilities will remain open, students will be required to go to class, and no changes have been made to the semester schedule, including spring commencement.
The University of Hawaii Professional Assembly issued a 10-day strike notice Saturday after 91 percent of voting members voted to strike.
The faculty's demands include 12 percent across-the-board pay raises and 1 percent merit increases over two years.
The state offered UH Manoa, West Oahu and Hilo faculty a 7 percent increase over two years with another 3 percent in merit. Community college faculty would receive raises totaling $4,755 over two years, with another possible 1 percent merit increase.
Both sides are scheduled to meet again with the federal mediator tomorrow at 3 p.m.
J.N. Musto, executive director of UHPA; the state's chief negotiator, Davis Yogi; and a representative of the university met with the mediator for more than seven hours Friday.
Musto called the talks constructive. "Nothing was resolved, but we laid out a ton of options of how to resolve a number of things," he said. "They talked about some things that were expressed to us through the mediator, which may or may not prove to be possible solutions."
Musto said 2,472 faculty participated in the strike vote, about 80 percent of the total union membership. He said about 300 members are on leave or stationed abroad and probably did not cast a ballot.
Only 231 voted against the strike, he said. "I'm encouraged. There's absolutely no question that in this bargaining unit you're not going to get unanimity. The fact that there are only 231 'no' votes says to me that we have the necessary support of the faculty in order to utilize the impasse resolution of a legal strike."
Although the April 5 strike date coincides with that of the Hawaii State Teachers Association, the two unions have no agreement except to support each other, Musto said.
After meeting with the HSTA leadership Saturday, Musto said, "We'll probably have frequent conversations." However, the two unions are negotiating independently.
Yogi, who is representing the state in both the UH and public school teachers negotiations, said he is optimistic the state will be able to prevent both strikes.
"I'm always optimistic. That has to be my attitude," he said.
The university administration will keep students, faculty, employees and the general public posted on strike information at www.hawaii.edu/strike and on a hot line at 956-4560 on Oahu or toll-free at 1-866-898-5161 from neighbor islands or the mainland.
University of Hawaii UH Professional Assembly
