Teachers prepare to walk
| • | Faculty union finishes UH vote |
By Alice Keesing
Advertiser Education Writer
The Hawai'i State Teachers Association is expected to give its official notice of intent to strike today, amid moves by state officials that could delay a walkout.
With relations between the union and the state becoming increasingly tense, Hawai'i's nearly 13,000 public school teachers plan to walk off the job April 5 unless a settlement is reached before then.
However, the state has said it will seek an injunction prohibiting a walkout until the Hawai'i Labor Relations Board has ruled on two complaints against the union.
In those complaints, state officials accuse the union of not bargaining in good faith and of using coercive tactics by planning to photograph those who cross strike picket lines.
The HSTA has said the complaints have no merit and yesterday filed a motion asking the labor relations board to expedite the hearing and rule before April 5.
The state's complaint "was filed for the purpose of delaying or preventing the announced strike," according to yesterday's motion.
"We have never had this happen before," said HSTA Executive Director Joan Husted. "This is all new ground for the public employee unions. When you think about it, it's an anti-collective bargaining act."
State Attorney General Earl Anzai said it is "absurd" to suggest the state filed the motions to prevent a strike.
"They did something that is against the law," he said. "I don't see how they can say that we are orchestrating this."
Anzai said his office had not received a copy of yesterday's motion, but that he had no objection to expediting the hearings as long as there is adequate time to prepare.
