State, teachers still dispute bonuses

By Jennifer Hiller
Advertiser Education Writer

Stopping short of calling their meeting a negotiation session, the state and teachers union met yesterday to talk about the issue that has blocked implementation of the contract for Hawai'i's 13,000 public school teachers.

Although neither side has appeared willing to budge, the question-and-answer session between the two groups represents the first formal communication since a statewide teachers strike in April shut down Hawai'i's system of public education.

The state will send a clarification of its offer to the union tomorrow.

"There's still some unanswered questions, so we're waiting for a written reply," said Karen Ginoza, president of the Hawai'i State Teachers Association. "I still believe we need to see it in writing."

Gov. Ben Cayetano and the HSTA remain at odds over a provision giving 3 percent bonuses to teachers with advanced and professional degrees. The dispute over who is eligible and for how many years has delayed the signing of the contract.

The union says the bonus is for two years, the state says one, and the state's latest offer limits the bonus to one year.

Meanwhile, the union plans to meet with its staff Friday and then with its membership at meetings across the state Monday.

The union's options range from striking again, taking the issue to court or accepting and negotiating the state's offer, Ginoza said. The union's board will meet Aug. 11 to decide.

The state has given the union three options to consider. The number of teachers eligible for the bonus depends on which option they choose, said Davis Yogi, the governor's chief negotiator.

Yesterday's session gave both sides a chance to clarify their positions, he said.

"I think the way everything is going right now everyone wants to cross our T's and dot our I's," Yogi said. "I don't think we were negotiating today."

The HSTA has offered to go through a mediator to settle the second year of the contract, but there was no talk of using a third party to solve the dispute.

The two sides said they may meet next week but have not set a date.

While the matter remains unresolved, the teachers contract remains unsigned. That already has delayed raises as well as a $1,100 retention bonus that returning teachers were to receive and has revived some of the anger of the recent strike.

Reach Jennifer Hiller at jhiller@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8084.