Pickets keep count of Campbell defectors

By Johnny Brannon
Advertiser Staff Writer

A tense war of words rages along picket lines outside Campbell High School these days, but the real battle is over numbers.

Twelve teachers at Campbell High School have crossed the picket line. If 14 teachers cross over, Campbell could be opened to some students. But striking teachers say that's unlikely. Cory Lum • The Honolulu Advertiser

"The magic number is 14 at Campbell, and that's not going to happen," striking business education teacher Jon Fia vowed while picketing outside the school in 'Ewa Beach.

Nine teachers endured a brief storm of harsh words and crossed the picket line at Campbell yesterday, but Fia said several who had crossed Thursday had since joined the strike.

"That's good news for us, it makes us feel better about what we're doing here," Fia said. "We're out here sacrificing, and it's frustrating to us to see others go inside and get paid, and when this is over, they'll benefit just like we will."

Breaking away

The strikers loudly heckled science teacher Rupert Corpuz, one of those who showed up for work, but he remained unruffled.

"I'm committed to making a living," he said. "I don't know about them."

Corpuz said he chose to supplement his income with a second job rather than pressure the state for higher pay.

An alternative learning teacher who crossed the picket line declined to be identified, but said he had recently moved here from Arizona and was thankful for the opportunity to join Campbell's faculty.

"I didn't come here to strike. I came here to work," he said amidst catcalls from strikers. "I thought I was lucky to get the job, and I don't want to strike. There's been a lot of sassing, but nothing too serious."

School officials said there were no immediate plans to try to open Campbell if a few more teachers show up for work. But strikers said they were taking no chances and would keep picket lines strong to discourage defections.

"I know I couldn't do it; the emotions are way too high," said Tammy Miller, a family and consumer science teacher. "When we go back to work, a lot of those who cross are really going to feel it from the rest of us."

'Splitting hairs'

Besides requiring a minimum of 14 teachers, Campbell would have to be able to accommodate special education and disabled students, said Karen Moriyama, deputy superintendent for the Leeward School District, which includes Campbell.

And Campbell principal Gail Awakuni would have to request that the school be opened, Moriyama said.

Campbell vice principal Ilalo Parayno said teachers who showed up for work were not merely cooling their heels in empty classrooms, but he declined to outline their specific assignments.

"People will start splitting hairs and picking bones," Parayno said. "The teachers are doing work that the school needs. I assure you they are busy."

Honolulu Police Department Sgt. Terry Kong said there had been no serious altercations or overt threats made outside Campbell, despite the obvious tension.

"So far, everybody's been respecting each other's rights," said Kong, who is supervising officers assigned to monitor Campbell during the strike. "Threats are what you perceive, but the picket captains have been on top of things, and we've explained that everyone has rights."