Governor Encourages HSTA to Resume Talks Following Conclusion of Labor Relations Hearings

News Release from www.Hawaii.gov/gov May 17, 2012

HONOLULU –After 10 months of hearings before the Hawai'i Labor Relations Board (HLRB), the State and Hawai'i State Teachers Association (HSTA) will begin working on briefs to be submitted to the Board, which will make a decision on the case. In July 2011, the HSTA filed the case with HLRB over the State’s implementation of the last, best, and final offer following an impasse in negotiations. Today, the HSTA concluded its case and the State immediately rested its case.

Upon hearing the news, Governor Neil Abercrombie stated, “We appreciate HSTA finally concluding its case as these hearings have been a distraction. It has hampered our ability to move forward and has been costly for the teachers' union over the last 10 months.

“It’s my hope that HSTA can now concentrate on negotiating a new contract for teachers. I encourage its leadership to accept the State’s offer to meet and continue negotiations immediately."

Negotiations have been ongoing based on HSTA’s February 28, 2012 proposal and the State’s March 19, 2012 settlement offer. However, HSTA has declined the State’s offer to continue discussions after the union cancelled three scheduled meetings.

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Teachers' Labor Board Case Nears End As Contract Vote Begins

CB: The 10-month-old case over whether Gov. Neil Abercrombie was wrong in imposing a new contract on teachers is finally coming to a head, clearing the way for negotiatons to resume.

The decision by the Hawaii State Teachers Association to rest its case on Thursday comes as teachers are reconsidering a January contract offer.

Before resting, HSTA made a final pitch to force Abercrombie to take the witness stand in the case before the Hawaii Labor Relations Board.

But the board said no….

read … Labor Board