The State and the Teachers Union, HSTA, will enter into federal mediation to resolve the teachers contract issues.
The Union’s President made the announcement Monday evening.
As you recall, the State last year, in an unprecedented move, imposed a contract without a vote by union members.
Then in January, the teachers rejected a contract proposal, but four months later voted again in favor of it, but it was too late.
So now, an opportunity to get the ball rolling again.
Governor Abercrombie sent this letter to HSTA President Wil Okabe last week, and the Union forwarded the letter to its members, which include 13,000 teachers across Hawaii.
It’s a proposal for both sides to use a federal mediator "to attempt to resolve our differences and move to a collective bargaining agreement for the good of the teachers and the keiki of Hawaii."
"I’d like to announce that the negotiation committee and the Board of Directors have agreed to accept the Governor’s offer to go with the federal mediator," said Wil Okabe, HSTA President.
After learning about the Union leadership’s decision, Governor Abercrombie responded that he’s pleased. He said in a statement: "This is a step forward, by both sides, to find a solution that will resolve our differences for the sake of our students and school teachers."
"I think the message to the teachers is that we are open to talks," said Okabe.
The Governor said in his proposal letter that using a federal mediator "is not about establishing who is right or who is wrong, but rather to reengage the HSTA in discussions which can lead to a resolution of the issues that separate us."
"We feel that a third party will be objective and able to resolve both sides," said Okabe.
Teachers input
These three teachers work at McKinley High School. And they all think that federal mediation is a good idea.
"I think whatever brings closure is what’s the best for us," said Cheri Kishimoto, Math teacher.
"We hope an agreement will be reached. We’ve waited a long time to get our contract and hopefully some good will come out of this," said Tony Nickelsen, English teacher.
"We’re looking for a positive resolution. Although the third party mediator does not make a determination for the parties, it will give us an opportunity to understand the State’s side and they will have an opportunity to express our side as well," said Okabe.
Okabe says he hopes they can start the mediation process as early as next week.
See the original article at: KHON2 Developing Stories
