By Jennifer Hiller
Advertiser Staff Writer
Hundreds of University of Hawai‘i faculty members lined the corner of University and Dole yesterday armed with signs and a rhythmic, thudding drum. They were joined by student supporters and and a dog named Surf, all in an effort to pressure the state into a contract settlement.
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| UH faculty members, students and sympathizers gathered at the intersection of University Avenue and Dole Street yesterday to protest the impasse in negotiations over a new contract with the state.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser |
Faculty members will take a strike authorization vote in 10 days, and could walk off the job April 4 or April 5. The University of Hawai‘i Professional Assembly and Gov. Ben Cayetano’s office have reached an impasse in negotiations.
In addition to the signs that have become common during UH demonstrations — "Save Our Semester" and "State Unfair to Faculty" — were the more pointed: "Cayetano, Why Do You Hate Us?" and "Impeach Cayetano."
Hiro Ito, a graduate student in social work, brought his dog Surf to the demonstration and dressed him in a "Save Our Semester" T-shirt. "I don’t want to lose the semester," Ito said. "Cayetano is trying to screw up this university."
Faculty members from Manoa were joined by the community college faculty at the demonstration. The faculty members, who have been without a contract or pay raises since 1998, are seeking a raise of 12 percent for two years.
The state is offering the union a 6 percent raise over two years for UH instructors at the Manoa, Hilo and West O‘ahu campuses, plus up to 3 percent in merit pay. The governor, who received a 3,000-signature petition from UH students Thursday, said he is trying to reach a fair contract with the faculty.
"I think we are all sort of shocked at what the governor is doing," said Jim Douglas, a microbiology professor and a specialist in tuberculosis research. "He claims to be the education governor."
Lilikala Kame‘eleihiwa, director of Hawai‘ian studies, said she thinks the faculty are ready to strike. "This man is unreasonable," she said of Cayetano. "When we go out, we should go to his house and protest there."
Correction: The University of Hawai‘i Professional Assembly is asking the state for a 12 percent raise over two years for its new contract. The state is offering the union a 6 percent raise over two years for UH instructors at the Manoa, Hilo and West O‘ahu campuses, plus up to 3 percent in merit pay. A previous version of this story gave the wrong figures.
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