[ TEACHER STRIKE ]
HSTA not hopeful STRIKING TEACHERS and the state were to return for more bargaining today, but union negotiators are not hopeful about reaching a settlement to end the state-wide strike soon.
Teachers insist raises be
retroactive, while the gov says
no other contract allows itTeacher salaries have dropped since 1979
By Crystal Kua
Star-BulletinAs Karen Ginoza, president of the Hawaii State Teachers Association, re-entered the federal building this morning to prepare for today's talks, she said she is not optimistic there will be an agreement today.
"There are major concerns as we try to find a settlement, but we'll keep working," Ginoza said.
HSTA chief negotiator Joan Husted added,"Pay is the issue."
At 1 this morning, a tired and somber looking Husted emerged from nearly 12 hours of contract talks with state negotiators that began yesterday afternoon.
"Things are not terribly optimistic," she said. "I think the discussions have been productive but there's that hurdle we're trying to get over and it just keeps getting in our way."
Husted wouldn't say what the "hurdle" is except that it involved in part leaks to media."You guys are all getting us in trouble with the leaks that are going on," Husted told reporters.
Husted said that they aren't ready to throw in the towel but after face-to-face bargaining last night she's not sure they can overcome the obstacles.
"Everybody's working really hard to try and get it settled but sometimes there are barriers you just can't get over," she said. "We're not ready to call it quits yet, we're going to keep working at it but I'm less optimistic than I was (yesterday) morning."
HSTA was to arrive back at the federal mediator's office at 9 a.m. and the state's team at 1 p.m.
The state's chief negotiator, Davis Yogi, left the Federal Building from a different exit and could not be reached for comment.
State schools Superintendent Paul LeMahieu left without comment.
Board of Education member Winston Sakurai, also on the state team, said he remained hopeful that a settlement can be reached in time for schools to reopen next week.
Both sides will continue to talk today and put a fresh set of eyes on where they stand, he said.
"It's something that we want to get settled as soon as possible," Sakurai said. "I think with all negotiations you have your high points and your low points and it's been going up and down."
Salary is the only issue left on the table.
HSTA spent yesterday morning crunching numbers before bargaining began at 2 p.m.Gov. Ben Cayetano said the HSTA made a new offer to the state and that it was under review by the state's negotiating team. He said he did not know the details.
The issue of retroactive wages apparently continues to be an obstacle to an agreement.
Cayetano said the contracts reached with the Hawaii Government Employees Association, the United Public Workers Union and the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly do not have retroactive raises.
The HSTA said a new contract must include retroactive wages.
Meanwhile, the Department of Education is readying a plan that outlines what will happen once classes resume.
LeMahieu is sending a memo today to district superintendents and principals regarding the reopening of schools after the teachers strike.
LeMahieu said in the memo that the focus will be on helping students successfully complete the school year. Students will not be penalized for school days missed because of the strike.
Student progress in all grades will be assessed within the first five days after the strike, the memo said.
Lessons would be devised to help students meet objectives and standards.
At the end of the school year, teachers will test students to determine whether they should be promoted or whether they have passed courses.
The memo goes on to say that a review would be done to determine whether field trips scheduled for the remainder of the year should be taken.
LeMahieu is also suspending professional development and training sessions for the rest of the school year except for those that are legally mandated. LeMahieu said there will be no early exit for seniors, who must attend classes all day until the school day before graduation.
>> HSTA Web site
>> State Web site
>> Governor's strike Web site
>> DOE Web site
>> UHPA Web site
Star-Bulletin reporter Nelson Daranciang and
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
