The State and the teachers union have reached an initial agreement on a new contract.
The HSTA board voted unanimously tonight in favor of the new contract.
Last July the State imposed a last best and final offer.
HSTA’s President says that contract and this new tentative agreement are night and day.
The union represents nearly 13,000 public school teachers.
"This particular contract for the first time in the history of HSTA, we have a six year contract. So it will start from this year and go all the way till 2017. So therefore it recognizes professional development, and gives respect back to the teachers for what they do in the classroom. Once 2013 comes, we’ll have a new salary construct and will get back to the 2009 salary of the teachers. Because throughout these four years we’ll have a reduction in pay. As you know, this past year teachers have taken furloughs but on non instructional days we will continue to take furloughs," said Wil Okabe, HSTA President.
The Governor, DOE Superintendent, and BOE Chair said in a joint statement: "We are pleased we have reached an agreement in principle. Our focus remains on working together to ensure Hawai’i will secure its race to the top grant, which lays the foundation for transforming student learning."
HSTA plans to put the new contract on its website this weekend, and plans to have a ratification vote in the next couple weeks.
The union is asking its members to vote "yes."
See the original article at: KHON2 Developing Stories
