Posted on: Thursday, March 15, 2001

Teachers' contract dispute at a glance

Advertiser Staff

• The union is seeking a 22 percent raise over four years, which includes across-the-board raises of 10 percent and step increases of 12 percent.
• The state's last offer averages a 12 percent increase, ranging from 10 to 20 percent. It ties in accountability and licensure and includes $5,000 extra per year for teachers who gain national certification.
• Teachers currently earn between $29,000 and $58,000.
• The issues: The union says Hawai'i is facing a teacher shortage crisis and the state needs to improve pay to boost recruitment and retention. The state says its offer does boost pay for new teachers, but it has a limited amount of money and wants to tie any pay raise to improving performance.
• The Hawai'i State Teachers Association represents nearly 13,000 public school teachers statewide.
• Hawai'i's teachers have been without a contract since January 1999.
• In the last round of contract talks in 1997, teachers were within hours of striking when a deal was reached. That contract provided a 17 percent increase but added seven days to the school calendar.
• The last time teachers walked off the job was April 1973. That strike lasted 19 days.