The teachers union took to the airwaves Wednesday to try to bring the state back to the bargaining table.
In a 60-second radio spot, Hawaii State Teachers Association Secretary-Treasurer Joan Lewis said the negotiations dispute is a teachable moment.
"When you disagree with a friend, don’t turn your back and walk away," Lewis, who is also an English teacher at Kapolei High School, says in the ad. "Always extend your open hand, but always defend what is right. Hawaii’s Constitution is our guarantee of equality and fairness for all."
The HSTA argues the state violated members’ rights and the state Constitution when it unilaterally imposed a contract July 1 with wage reductions and higher health care premiums after being unable to reach a deal in collective bargaining talks.
Last week, the union filed a "prohibited practice" complaint that also alleged the state did not bargain in good faith and threatened layoffs and "nasty" changes to working conditions if the HSTA didn’t agree to a 5 percent wage reduction.
The state says it acted in the best interests of students and teachers — and avoided layoffs and cuts to instructional time — by implementing the contract.
"Gov. (Neil) Abercrombie believes the public wants to move forward with the new school year approaching," Donalyn Dela Cruz, press secretary for the governor, said Wednesday in an emailed statement. "His attention and commitment continues to be putting our children first."
The HSTA ad will run on 10 radio stations statewide over the next week. Airing the ad cost about $10,000, union President Wil Okabe said.
He added that if the dispute drags on, the union might run more ads.
"This was just an opportunity of letting the public know how much teachers care and they’re committed to getting this thing settled," Okabe said. "Hopefully, the governor will listen to this."
