Posted on: Wednesday, April 28, 2004

HSTA, state say they're hopeful

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

Negotiators for the state and the union that represents 13,000 public school teachers return to the bargaining table today, with both sides optimistic that an agreement can be reached.

Talks broke off at about 8 p.m. last night after about seven hours of meetings between the Hawai'i State Teachers Association and state negotiators. Negotiations resume at 1 p.m. today at the HSTA headquarters.

Ted Hong, the state's chief negotiator, met with the union for about four hours before leaving to brief Gov. Linda Lingle and her budget staff. He returned to the talks at the Department of Education's office at Dole Cannery for about 15 minutes before the session ended.

Hong said he was hopeful the two sides could agree on a two-year deal today. The only issue is salary and the state is reviewing an HSTA proposal.

A settlement must be reached by Friday to meet a deadline for legislation to pay for any agreement.

Joan Husted, HSTA executive director and chief negotiator, said she also believed that a deal is close. "I've long since learned things take longer than you think they're going to take. But we're reasonably optimistic that we're going to put this thing to bed in time," Husted said.

The state's last offer to the teachers called for no raises in the first year of the contract, and 1.5 percent across the board in the second year, plus a 3 percent step movement. Neither side would comment last night on the union's counter-offer. Starting teachers make $34,294 a year, with the average teacher salary at $45,167.

Meanwhile, the teachers will rally in front of Washington Place today.

Staff writer Treena Shapiro contributed to this report.