Union urges vote for UH contract

By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

The University of Hawai'i Professional Assembly is recommending its members vote to approve a tentative six-year contract agreement with the state.

"I do think this is good contract, both for the faculty and the University," said Mary Tiles, UHPA president. "I think it is as good as it's going to get."

The union's collective bargaining committee reviewed the proposed agreement yesterday and voted 12 to 2 to recommend it to the UHPA board.

The board voted 13 to 5 to recommend the faculty ratify it. Two members abstained.

"There is some mixed reaction and I think our vote reflected that," Tiles said.

Salaries will increase 31 percent, compounded over six years under the tentative agreement, but the largest increases come in the fifth and sixth years of the contract.

Some committee and board members were concerned whether the contract would be enforceable during the later years.

"The governor and the university have both said they regard it as enforceable," Tiles said. "And our legal council has assured us it is legally enforceable."

UHPA executive director J.N. Musto said ratification meetings will begin Tuesday, votes will be cast on all campuses April 6 and 7 and the results will be announced on April 8.

Dates for ratification meetings have been arranged, but times and meeting places will be announced on the assembly's Web site at www.uhpa.org. Absentee ballots can be requested by e-mail at ballot@uhpa.org.

The ratification meeting dates are:

Tuesday: University of Hawai'i-Manoa; Windward Community College.

Wednesday: University of Hawai'i-Manoa; Kapi'olani Community College.

Thursday: University of Hawai'i-Hilo; Hawai'i Community College; Maui Community College.

Friday: Leeward Community College; Honolulu Community College.

April 5: Kaua'i Community College.

Reach Karen Blakeman at 535-2430 or kblakeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.