Hawaii public school teachers are scheduled to receive negotiated pay increases this fall. Effective the first day of the second quarter, educators will receive a 3.5 percent across-the-board pay raise, which will show up in their paychecks starting Nov. 5.

In all, there are various raises worth nearly 14 percent over the four years of the contract originally approved in 2017, which expires in 2021. The Hawaii State Legislature approved funding for the last two years of the contract in the 2019 legislative session.

Could the governor still try to cut pay or institute furloughs this school year? The HSTA’s current contract, which sets our rate of salary, does not expire until June 30, 2021. Any change in that salary requires negotiations. If the governor attempts to impose cuts or furloughs without negotiations, HSTA will take all possible action to challenge the cuts.

HSTA members will see a dues adjustment to their Sept. 18  payroll deductions. Full-time member dues will increase to $36 per paycheck, up from $35.41, while half-time member dues will be $32.31 per paycheck, up from $31.81. Every Sept. 1, HSTA dues are adjusted to the average teacher salary as of July 1 of each year.

Teachers receive a $2,500 incentive after they have achieved tenure. They will receive a Form 5 noting that incentive payment. Find more information in Article VI. Teaching Conditions and Hours, Section JJ. Probationary Credit on page 34 of your contract.