HSTA wins $234K for hundreds of members impacted by paycheck delays

The Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association has secured a $234,800 settlement from the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education to compensate nearly 500 teachers who experienced paycheck delays at the start of the school year. This victory highlights the critical role of HSTA in advocating for educators and ensuring they receive fair treatment and timely pay.

At the beginning of the school year, hundreds of new hires, returning teachers, and charter school educators faced significant delays in receiving their paychecks due to HIDOE’s processing issues. Some teachers went without pay for their first, second, and even third paychecks, creating financial hardship for educators across the state.

HSTA advocates for members, securing compensation and systemic changes

Recognizing the severity of the issue, HSTA immediately took action, filing a statewide class grievance against the HIDOE as well as against every charter school that had teachers not paid on time. The HSTA was able to pressure schools Superintendent Keith Hayashi to authorize $2,000 placeholder checks to help mitigate the immediate impacts for employees and also negotiated a tentative grievance settlement with the superintendent in September.

However, finalizing the agreement required months of persistent advocacy, including reviewing approximately 575 personnel files and payroll records to ensure every affected teacher was properly compensated.

In the end the HSTA and HIDOE determined there were 482 teachers affected throughout the state, the vast majority teaching either at public charter schools or in Leeward or Maui district.

While the state is exempt from penalties for failing to pay timely wages, HSTA fought to ensure members received fair compensation. The amounts secured through this settlement are significantly higher than what private-sector employees would have received under state law—on average less than $10 per delayed paycheck in interest. Thanks to HSTA’s efforts, affected teachers are instead receiving $400 per missed paycheck, with four teachers qualifying for $1,200 after waiting until their fourth paycheck to receive their full wages.

Beyond securing financial compensation, HSTA also won a commitment from HIDOE to conduct an internal audit and implement procedural changes to prevent future paycheck delays. Thanks to the union’s persistence, employee onboarding for the spring 2025 semester has gone smoothly, with no reported paycheck issues.

Educator compensation process, next steps

HIDOE has already notified eligible employees via email, and HSTA followed up with letters to ensure every impacted teacher was aware of their right to compensation. Unlike standard payroll payments, these funds are being processed separately, requiring recipients to submit a W-9 form to the DOE.

So far, approximately 300 teachers have submitted their forms. Those who have not yet done so must submit their W-9 by March 17 to avoid delays. The DOE will begin processing payments after this deadline, and HSTA expects funds to reach teachers by April. Late submissions will result in delayed processing of the payments.

Stronger together, results that matter

This settlement is a clear example of why a strong union matters. Without HSTA’s advocacy, hundreds of teachers would have been left without recourse, receiving little to no compensation for the financial stress caused by paycheck delays. By standing up for its members, HSTA not only secured immediate, meaningful financial relief and compensation for the harm caused, but also pushed for systemic improvements to prevent future issues.

If you have any questions or need assistance submitting your W-9, teachers can email the HIDOE at BU05_W9@k12.hi.us. In addition, should you have questions regarding your eligibility for compensation, please contact your HSTA UniServ Director.