Posted on: Thursday, April 5, 2001

Both sides in strike must put students first

Hawai'i's entire public education system is shut down today, the victim of a rugged economy and the inability of union and management to find new solutions to old problems.

The best hope now is for a strike that is short in duration and without lasting rancor. Hawai'i's public school children and university students can weather a brief interruption in their education. They cannot be expected to abide a lengthy break and a system that has been poisoned by bitterness.

There was undeniable sadness and resignation on the faces of everyone last night as they broke the news of their impasse. It is a sadness that results from the inability of good-willed people to find the creative spark to resolve tough differences over money, management rights and institutional integrity.

Effectively, the two sides now have four days (through the weekend) to cool off and resolve their differences.

Over these next few days, there must be a return to creativity, flexibility and this crucial first principle: Our students must come first.