The University of Hawaii faculty union says its representatives and management will meet with a federal mediator Wednesday after members voted overwhelmingly to reject a contract offer that called for a 5 percent pay cut and other concessions to help UH deal with budget cuts.

The vote “;disappointed”; UH President M.R.C. Greenwood. “;The highest priority of our offer was to protect students. There would be no loss of instructional days and the resulting salary savings would have helped minimize program cuts and layoffs,”; Greenwood said in a news release.

University of Hawaii Professional Assembly Executive Director J.N. Musto, at a news conference yesterday, called for restoration of funding for the university and for a tax increase to support public education.

“;This is an issue of public policy,”; Musto said, adding that Gov. Linda Lingle and the Legislature must decide how much of a priority to give to education.

“;We do not believe — nor do we believe that the evidence demonstrates — that our faculty are overpaid,”; Musto said.

Senate President Colleen Hanabusa said a tax increase is on the table for lawmakers. But she said it is too early to tell whether it will pass or whether there will be enough votes to override a veto.

Lingle reiterated yesterday her opposition to a tax increase.

“;From my perspective, this is a time for everybody to pull together — everybody give up a little something so the state can get through this difficult time,”; she said. “;I think whether any union approves or doesn't approve of a contract, it doesn't create any more money for the government, so that means something else has to be done.”;

UH officials had been planning to save $22 million this year through worker salary reductions and another $12 million through a payroll lag that would push one paycheck into the next fiscal year.

University officials have said they are looking at further budget cuts this spring that will likely mean hiring fewer lecturers, possible layoffs and fewer and more crowded classes for students.

Musto said the assumption that faculty must take a pay cut to save classes for students is “;a false choice.”;

“;We are willing to negotiate a settlement that will address the problems they (university officials) are facing if it meets the needs of the faculty as well,”; Musto said.

    UHPA Opposes New Contract Terms

 

 

University of Hawaii professors have overwhelmingly rejected proposed terms of a new working contract.

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