Laborers union plans to A dispute over substitute teacher pay has prompted the Laborers' International Union of North America to attempt to unionize more than 5,200 public school substitute teachers in Hawaii.
organize public school
substitute teachers
By Craig Gima
cgima@starbulletin.comUnion organizer James "Jimmy" Kuroiwa Jr., who ran unsuccessfully for the Windward Oahu seat on the Board of Education, is coordinating the effort.
"They (substitute teachers) have been taken advantage of for years," said Kuroiwa, whose wife, Patty, is a longtime substitute teacher.
Kuroiwa said his wife's pay was cut to $110.71 a day from $113.20 a day after the new teachers contract went into effect last year.
Raises for substitute teachers are tied to negotiated increases for public school teachers. But in calculating the raises, the Department of Education also determined that all substitute teachers would be paid the same amount. That meant while some teachers got a raise, teachers who had been paid more for their higher educational background and experience actually saw their pay cut.
Schools Superintendent Pat Hamamoto declined comment on the attempt to unionize substitute teachers until she has a chance to examine the issue. She said she would look into the issue of substitute teachers' pay.
Kuroiwa acknowledged that his wife pressed him to do something about the pay cut, and that is one reason the laborers union decided to try to organize substitute teachers.
He said in discussions with substitute teachers, pay is a big issue but there are other concerns, including the lack of unemployment and other benefits. The union needs about 1,500 signatures from substitute teachers who support the effort before it can seek an election to determine whether teachers should be represented.
The union is spending about $500,000 in the organizing effort. Kuroiwa said he hopes an election can be held within four to six months.
He said he is working to set up committees in each high school complex, and encouraged substitute teachers who are interested in forming a union to call the laborers union Local 368 office.
The Hawaii State Teachers Association and the Hawaii Government Employees Association have been prohibited by a ruling by the Hawaii Labor Relations Board to organize substitute teachers, Kuroiwa said. He said the two unions have been trying unsuccessfully to change the state law.
He said he has talked with both unions about the effort. The HSTA did not return a call for comment.
The laborers union represents part-time teachers in Los Angeles and also represents some school security workers on the mainland, Kuroiwa said.
In Hawaii the laborers union represents construction workers, hospital workers and golf course maintenance workers.
