Teachers union denies altering contract agreement

By Alice Keesing
Advertiser Education Writer

The teachers union yesterday denied the state's accusation that it fraudulently changed details of their contract agreement.

In a response filed with the Hawai'i Labor Relations Board, the union denied the state's claim that Hawai'i State Teachers Association staff unilaterally changed details of the agreement when they produced a written draft to be voted on by Hawai'i's striking teachers.

The union also has filed its own complaint accusing the state of bargaining in bad faith. It is asking the labor board to order the governor to sign their contract and pay for the delay in implementing it.

The contract that was forged during April's teachers strike remains unsigned while the two sides argue whether a professional bonus was intended to be paid for one or two years.

With the matter unresolved, teachers have not received any of their negotiated raises or a $1,100 retention bonus. Some have charged that the dispute is leading to morale problems in the schools and is hindering recruitment efforts to end Hawai'i's teacher shortage.

Gov. Ben Cayetano has said he will pay the bonus for one year, with a cap of $9.7 million.

The state has argued that an oral agreement reached between the two sides on April 23 is binding. The union maintains it is the written agreement of April 24 that is binding.

The state labor board could consolidate the two complaints and hear them at the same time. The board has 40 days to begin hearing a complaint once it is filed; the union's complaint — the first one filed — was received Aug. 14.

Reach Alice Keesing at 525-8014 or akeesing@honoluluadvertiser.com