Teachers call latest state offer 'cynical'

By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

The teachers union board of directors met yesterday but failed to find common ground with the state over teachers' bonuses the board thought it had negotiated in April.

Teachers voted in April to end their strike. But now, with no end in sight to the bonus dispute, another strike is possible. Advertiser library photo • April 24, 2001

Gov. Ben Cayetano's latest proposal suggests that bonuses for teachers with advanced degrees be removed from the contract negotiated earlier this year, and either renegotiated or rewritten with a cap of $9.7 million.

In the two-year contract negotiated during the statewide teachers strike in April, teachers with advanced degrees were to "receive a 3-percent differential calculated on their current salary each year."

State negotiator Davis Yogi said he had intended the bonus be granted for only one year, and had overlooked the last two words of that sentence when he reviewed the contract, drafted by the teachers union, on April 23.

Teachers ratified the contract and ended the strike in late April.

Jackie Kido, the governor's press secretary, said the governor's $9.7 million offer was an increase over the $6.7 million the state had initially expected to pay for bonuses.

"There is nothing cynical or unreasonable about the state's actions," Kido said.

Ginoza said the teachers union had offered to take the 3 percent bonus for the first year and negotiate through a third party for the second year.

Negotiators for the two sides are scheduled to meet on the issue on Tuesday.

On Aug. 6, HSTA board members plan to meet with teachers across the state to discuss the contract problems, Ginoza said.

On Aug. 11, the board will decide what steps to take to resolve the issue. Among the options are taking the issue to court and calling another strike.