The Hawaii Supreme Court on Friday denied a request by the Hawaii State Teachers Association for a ruling by the state labor board on the teacher union’s prohibited-practices complaint against the state.

The union asked the high court to order the Hawaii Labor Relations Board to issue a quick decision in the case that was wrapped up more than four months ago.

But the high court said it was denying the request "in light of the extended duration of the evidentiary proceeding and the voluminous record." The hearings in the case spanned 10 months and included dozens of witnesses.

HSTA is alleging that the state violated union member rights when it imposed a teacher contract in July 2011.

HSTA President Wil Okabe said he was "very pleased" with another part of the court ruling that directed the state to respond within 20 days to the union’s request for a court order that would restore the teachers’ job status prior to the imposition of the contract.

Okabe said the court’s action represents movement toward resolving the dispute over the legality of the contract.