HSTA cries foul Teachers walked out of a union meeting yesterday, angry at the state because the contract they gained after a three-week strike in the spring is still on hold.
on bonuses
Another teachers strike
is among the optionsBy Crystal Kua
ckua@starbulletin.com"We just feel that we're being cheated and betrayed by the governor," said Erin Matuse, a Pearlridge Elementary teacher.
"We shook hands on it, we ended our strike, and everybody's understanding was whatever we ratified would happen, but it's not," said Diane Kazama, an Alvah Scott Elementary teacher. "Personally, I'm upset."
After holding informational meetings with its members at 16 locations statewide, the Hawaii State Teachers Association will now move toward deciding how to respond to the contract stalemate over pay bonuses. The union's board of directors will meet Saturday to determine whether to take legal action, strike again or renegotiate -- options teachers were given yesterday.
The contract that was settled and ratified by the union after the April strike remains unsigned because of a dispute over 3 percent bonuses for teachers with master's degrees and professional diplomas.
The contract says the raises are to be paid in each of the last two years of the contract.
"The contract clearly states each year. It was clearly stated from the beginning. That seems to be everyone's understanding at the time," Matuse said.
But Gov. Ben Cayetano says the contract language is in error and does not reflect the actual agreement reached at the bargaining table, which called for the raises to be paid only during the first year at a cost of $6 million.
The governor has said that he is willing to add $3 million to the pot and increase the number of teachers covered by the section as a way to reach compromise."Everyone was clear; state negotiators (were) clear about what was negotiated," the state's chief negotiator, Davis Yogi, said at a news conference. "We're offering an additional $3 million as a compromise ... so we can move forward on this wonderful contract."
The contract includes a $1,100 retention bonus, 16 percent pay raise and increase in entry pay from $29,000 to $34,000.
About 400 teachers attended a meeting at Moanalua High School, with many unhappy about the status of the contract.
"They are angry; they are frustrated that the state has not honored the contract that they have fought so hard for," HSTA President Karen Ginoza said.
"I'm one with a master's (degree), and I'm really upset," said Gloria Gorter of Aliamanu Intermediate. "Suddenly, because they didn't do their homework, they're flabbergasted at the cost? That's totally unfair."
Gorter was among several who said they would be willing to go to court over the matter but that they would also support whatever decision the union leadership came to.
"For too long the HSTA has made some unfounded accusations against the state. The state has not reneged on the contract," Yogi said.
At his news conference, Yogi displayed a list of questions -- including some on the advanced-degrees bonuses -- that he said he received from HSTA chief negotiator Joan Husted four days after the end of the strike.
He said the fax was proof that Husted was "confused" about the terms of the agreement.
"I think it gets to a point where facts get twisted, truths get stretched, and I think we have to resort to black-and-white documents to start showing that these are the things that occurred," Yogi said.
Not so, the union says.
Husted's fax contained questions concerning implementation of the contract -- not the terms, union officials said.
"They were not questions about the contract -- whether it was for one year or two years," Ginoza said.
HSTA spokeswoman Danielle Lum said it is routine following negotiations to ask implementation questions. "It's standard. It's part of the process."
Ginoza said the union asked for written clarification on the state's position so the union was clear. Members were given a synopsis of that clarification yesterday.
"And when he talks about we need the black and white -- that's why we go back to the contract language that talks about the 3 percent for each year," Ginoza said.
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