For the first time since his administration floated the unwise idea of 20-percent pay cuts for state employees, including educators, Gov. David Ige appears to be considering a federal low-interest loan program suggested by the Hawaii State Teachers Association (HSTA) and other unions to avoid those reductions.

Successful Hawaii developer and well-known business leader Stanford Carr spoke out Wednesday against state worker pay cuts floated earlier this month by the administration of Gov. David Ige.

In lieu of a traditional convention, HSTA will hold a virtual “State of Our Union” on Saturday, May 16, at 10 a.m. to update our valued members about what’s happening with our association during this uncertain time.

This agreement outlines what tasks teachers can and can’t be asked to complete, how teachers will be scheduled to come to campus, guidance on entering campus and workspaces, safety precautions, and an exception process for those who may have health concerns related to COVID-19.  

The HIDOE anticipates approximately 30-40 positions will be created at the complex/district/state level to address behavior analyst work within the department.

Some educators juggled their remote teaching commitments to join more than 100 other public-sector union member volunteers from HSTA, HGEA and UHPA who started working on the massive backlog of unemployment claims Thursday at the Hawaii Convention Center. 

Lily Eskelsen García, president of the National Education Association, wrote Gov. David Ige Friday, telling him that while she understands the fiscal challenges that the coronavirus presents to Hawaii, “reducing the pay of teachers and other public employees will only compound this crisis.”

The NEA Foundation is proud to stand with educators and offer these grant opportunities during this challenging time. 

The Hawaii State Federal Credit Union offers its members financial resources and assistance programs, including an emergency assistance loan. In light of COVID-19, Hawaii State FCU is also allowing members to defer their loan payments and make early withdrawals without penalty.

HSTA President Corey Rosenlee writes, “In addition to economic consequences, a reduction in teachers’ salaries would devastate Hawaii’s public schools. We’re hearing from our veteran educators that they would retire, and from our new and experienced teachers who would be forced to leave the profession.”