Updated: October 22, 2021
What is informational picketing?
An informational picket is a lawful demonstration to bring greater community awareness about an issue. It is something that a school faculty can get together to carry out off of school property during non-work hours. It is not the same thing as a strike, which is unlawful during the term of an unexpired contract. Informational picketing also does not block access to any facility.
Why is HSTA holding informational picketing?
For our purposes, informational picketing is meant to raise awareness for families and the community about issues taking place on many of our campuses where safety protocols are not being followed. Standardized procedures are also not in place dealing with the quarantining of students and staff and spelling out what is or is not allowed related to distance learning requirements. Ultimately, HSTA wants the Hawaii State Department of Education to sit down and engage in the negotiations process to address significant changes affecting your working conditions which did not exist pre-pandemic.
Why can’t we strike?
A strike is prohibited, both in our contract and Hawaii law, when our collective bargaining agreement is in effect.
According to Article XXIII – No Strike, “The Association agrees that during the term of this Agreement, neither the Association nor its members will authorize, instigate or engage in a strike, sit down, slowdown or picket against the Employer during the life of this Agreement, except as provided for in Article XXVIII – Duration.” Article XVII states, “The entire agreement shall be renewed thereafter in accordance with statutes unless either party hereto gives written notice during the period June 1, 2022 through June 30, 2022 to the other party of its desire to modify, amend or terminate the Agreement.”
Violations could lead to fines for both the union and individual members. While HSTA has gone on strike, most recently in 2001, it was conducted after the parties were at a legal impasse in negotiations. Teachers had been working without a negotiated agreement for nine months, and HSTA complied with all the legal notification requirements to implement a strike action.
HSTA’s contract and state law do not prohibit informational picketing, when our members don’t walk off the job but voice concerns by holding signs, marching or other activities before or after work hours.
Why should we picket at my school when my principal is doing everything possible to support teachers and keep all of us safe?
Picketing at any location is aimed at gaining support and raising public awareness of the issues educators face. While many principals are doing everything they can to keep staff and students safe, they need our support also. Impact bargaining could also benefit administrators, EAs, and support staff. In addition, while things may be under control and well-run at your school, that’s not the case at others. So it’s important to collectively support educators at schools that need major improvement in safety protocols and implementation.
You can also invite your administrators and support staff to join in the effort as all of us collectively have a desire for safer schools and well-defined protocols.
When parents see teachers picketing about school safety, won’t they think teachers are not keeping their children safe?
The purpose of picketing about school safety is to tell parents that we are doing everything we can, but that more needs to be done by both the education and health departments to assure schools are safe.
If HSTA is picketing to bring attention to safety concerns in schools and to get interim Superintendent Hayashi to the bargaining table, then shouldn’t HSTA picket at HIDOE headquarters?
The Honolulu Chapter held a picketing activity at the Liliuokalani Building, HIDOE’s headquarters, on Tuesday, Sept. 21 . Hawaii educators gathered again to picket outside of HIDOE’s headquarters on Wednesday, Oct. 20, following the HSTA filing a prohibited practice complaint with the Hawaii Labor Relations Board. We need to build awareness in our community and gain support so that others also apply pressure to interim Superintendent Keith Hayashi.
Does HSTA want schools to close?
No, we want schools to remain open, but to continue operating in a safe way. We want to have plans in place that keep the educators, students, school staff, and communities safe. There must be consistent protocols in place for providing work to students in quarantine that provide teachers with adequate preparation time and resources.
What are the HSTA’s specific suggestions that would make schools safer?
- Consistent notification of positive cases
- Preparation time for quarantine learning materials
- Virtual faculty meetings
- 60-day supply of PPE and cleaning items.
- Easy, frequent access to free COVID-19 testing at or near worksites