honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 4:55 p.m., Tuesday, April 3, 2001



Teachers, state back at the table

Advertiser Staff

State and union negotiators returned to the bargaining table this afternnon in an effort to avert public school teachers and university faculty strikes, both less than 48 hours away.

The state met separately with negotiators for the Hawai'i State Teachers Association and the University of Hawai'i faculty union.

The state placed a new contract offer before the teachers, but details were not immediately available.

Earlier today, the teachers union was pessimistic of a speedy settlement.

"We're quite a distance apart," said HSTA executive director Joan Husted.

It was her first comment on the negotiations since the parties agreed last week to keep their differences private. But Husted noted that since Gov. Ben Cayetano commented yesterday on negotiations, she considers the "blackout" agreement ended.

"I echo the governor's comment that parents need to prepare for child care Thursday," Husted added. "There's been some good movement to deal with some issues but we're still stuck on money."

Davis Yogi, the state's chief negotiator, declined to comment today.

The union offered an "informal proposal" last week, but there's been no official response from the state.

The state and faculty union, meanwhile, met with a federal mediator again today, but no progress was reported. No talks were scheduled for tomorrow.