Teacher pay issue going to mediator

By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawai'i's public school teachers and the state are so far apart on the issue of salaries that they are headed to federal mediation tomorrow.

Ted Hong, the state's chief negotiator, said talks ended Friday with the two proposals $93 million apart in their cost to the state.

Hawai'i State Teachers Association officials were reportedly shocked and angered by the state's offer of no raise in the first year of a two-year contract and a 1 percent increase in the second.

The union is asking for no less than the highest arbitrated award given to the other unions for state employees. That could amount to about 5 percent in each of the two years for most teachers.

Hong said the union's expectations are unreasonably high and without regard to the economy and the state's financial resources. The union's proposal would cost $100 million, he said, while the state's proposal would cost $7 million.

"The governor's position is clear: We can't spend beyond our means," Hong said.

Danielle Lum, spokeswoman for the 13,200-member union, said the teachers just want to be treated like any other union. Hawai'i Government Employees Association members were recently awarded raises from 5 percent to 9 percent, and the United Public Workers union won 5 percent raises in each year of a two-year contract.

Lum said higher wages would end the state's chronic teacher shortage. Surveys annually rank Hawai'i teachers' pay among the lowest in the nation, when factoring in the cost of living, according to the union.

As for mediation, Lum said: "We're willing to do what it takes to get a contract settled quickly and fairly."

Thursday evening, several teachers asked the state Board of Education for support. Some of them were clearly upset by the wage negotiations.

The board issued a statement saying it is committed to the mediation process and urging both sides to work for a fair compromise.

Board chairman Breene Harimoto said members are supportive of the teachers, but he noted that they have no control over the money issue. "We want them to receive a fair settlement," Harimoto said.

Hong said no one should get too excited about the negotiations so far, because both sides have merely presented their opening positions. He said he hopes the mediator can help find a compromise.

A year ago the state and HSTA officials agreed to a partial settlement through June 30, 2005, putting off the pay issue until now. The move avoided putting teacher health benefits in jeopardy, but teachers had to guarantee they wouldn't strike for one year.

Teachers struck for three weeks in April 2001 before ratifying a contract that included raises totaling 18.5 percent over two years.

Reach Timothy Hurley at thurley@honoluluadvertiser.com or (808) 244-4880.