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(Ken Hupp - KPUA) The Hawai`i State Teachers Association (HSTA) is asking the state Supreme Court to compel the Hawai`i Labor Relations Board to issue a quick ruling in its prohibited-practice case against the state.
The union argues the board has had more than enough time to rule on whether the state violated member’s rights when it imposed a contract on its membership in July, 2011. HSTA's officials say the lack of a ruling prevents the union from either taking the case to state Circuit Court or exercising members' right to strike, or both.
The union argues the board has had more than enough time to rule on whether the state violated member’s rights when it imposed a contract on its membership in July, 2011. HSTA's officials say the lack of a ruling prevents the union from either taking the case to state Circuit Court or exercising members' right to strike, or both.
The HSTA argued the state's decision to unilaterally implement a "last, best" offer in July 2011, with wage reductions and higher health care premiums, violated state labor laws. Teachers continue to work under the "last, best" offer, which expires June 30, 2013.
The state, meanwhile, said it had to impose the contract in order to preserve hundreds of jobs.
The state, meanwhile, said it had to impose the contract in order to preserve hundreds of jobs.
The call for a ruling in the labor board case comes as the state and HSTA remain mumabout the status of federal mediation that began in August. But word has been spreading through the teaching ranks that mediation appears to have been a bust.