Pay cuts of 6.7 percent for University of Hawai'i faculty were imposed yesterday, and the UH Professional Assembly said it is still waiting for a hearing date to be set for its motion for a temporary restraining order.

The UH faculty union filed a motion Jan. 7 for a temporary restraining order, asking a state court to stop UH President M.R.C. Greenwood from unilaterally imposing the faculty salary reductions.

The UH Professional Assembly's filing asked that the 1st Circuit Court put a restraining order into effect as soon as possible and before Jan. 15, the first faculty payday of 2010.

"It is extraordinary that thus far the Circuit Court has not responded to the motion made by UHPA for a temporary restraining order that would prevent the unilateral 6.667 percent reduction in the paychecks received by faculty members today," JN Musto, UHPA's executive director and chief negotiator, said in a statement.

Musto went on to say: "Although we have not yet received a court hearing date, we have faith in the justice system. Judge Derrick Chan is an experienced jurist and we have no doubt that he will act responsibly. We will continue to pursue redress from courts for this action by the UH administration.[0x1d]"

Greenwood has said the university would oppose the union's court motion.

On Dec. 21, the UH administration said it had reached an impasse in contract talks with the faculty union and would implement pay cuts.

The university's biennium budget was slashed by $154 million, and the administration is looking for ways to cut costs. To meet the shortfall, the university has reduced its nonunion faculty size and consolidated programs.