Monday was the first day of school — and the first time Hawaii teachers have seen of their students since the start of their contract dispute with the state.
But if students or parents were rattled by the controversy, it sure didn’t show.
Most were indifferent, many were burnt-out on the issue and some were too caught up in first-day hustle and bustle to even think about it.
Civil Beat went to some of Hawaii’s public schools Monday to get an idea of what people think about the teachers union’s ongoing tussle with Gov. Neil Abercrombie.
Students In the Dark
At Roosevelt High School, which boasts a total enrollment of about 1,400 students, Monday was a “Freshmen First Day”, and only incoming freshmen had classes. Tuesday is the first day of school for all students.
When asked about their thoughts on the Hawaii State Teachers Association’s conflict with the state, most students responded with blank expressions.
Many students had no idea that their teachers were even embroiled in a dispute, let alone about to confront the state before the Hawaii Labor Relations Board this week.
“I don’t know anything about that,” said 13-year-old Cynthia Araki, shaking her head.
Incoming juniors Bailin Li and Jianliao Fong, who were at the school just to scope out their new peers, shrugged their shoulders.
Abercrombie on July 1 implemented his “last, best and final” contract offer without union approval.
HSTA president Wil Okabe accused the governor of using unfair tactics to unilaterally impose the labor contract, which includes wage cuts, higher health premiums and “directed leave without pay” on certain days previously set aside for planning and preparation.
Okabe last Tuesday sent a personal appeal to Abercrombie asking that the governor himself — and not just his Legislature — jump-start negotiations before the first day of school.
But the dispute remains in a gridlock, and current contract conditions will remain in place, until the union’s complaint is heard by the Labor Relations board. (Proceedings begin Aug. 5.)
Parents Weary
Parents were more informed and sympathetic.
Jarrett Middle School parent Jodi Uehara said that while she’s glad Furlough Fridays are over for her two children, she empathizes with their teachers.
“I feel for the teachers,” she said. “Any time you take away from their ability to prepare for students and assist each other, you’re just short-changing the community, the district and the state.”
Roosevelt parent Theotis White, Sr. said he’s aware of and empathizes with teachers’ dissatisfaction. Beyond that, he hasn’t been keeping up with the news but doesn’t feel the need to do so.
Both sides have become entrenched in such a standstill that he’s grown blasé about the issue.
“I’m hoping (teachers) get what they’re asking for,” said White. “You hear that bus drivers get paid more than teachers? That’s crazy. That’s unfair. But I’m just so burnt-out by all of it that I don’t really bother to keep track.”
Teachers Disillusioned, But Committed
The few teachers that had enough downtime to dwell on their contract controversy echoed White’s weary attitude.
Most are so fed up with what they see as a never-ending labor dispute that they haven’t even bothered to keep an eye on union news.
Christine Affleck, an HSTA member and counselor at Roosevelt, says she hasn’t been keeping up with the news because she doesn’t own a T.V. But she’s confident the school’s teachers will stick it out regardless of the outcome.
The contract dispute “has put a damper on everything,” said Affleck. “But the teachers (at Roosevelt) will be here no matter what. They’re the kind of staff that love teaching.”
Reggie Dela Cruz, a Peer Education teacher, maintains a similar sense of optimism.
“Teachers have always gotten the short end of the stick,” he said. “Teaching is something that I feel should be taken more seriously. And it does affect our morale, sometimes it’s difficult to keep a smile on our face — but we still do our best. We have the responsibility of educating our youth. It’s our job.”
Like Affleck, Dela Cruz says he’s not very familiar with his union’s present issues. But he’s been around long enough — about 15 years — to assume that the current wrangle is much the same as past fights. He says that teachers feel the same bitter sentiments as they did in 2001 when they went on strike over a contract. He thinks teachers will see the same anticlimactic outcome.
“It’s the same ol’, same ol’,” he said. “There’s always moaning and groaning. Unfortunately, it’s a profession that seems like it’s not a profession.”
Both Dela Cruz and Affleck joined other Hawaii teachers in devoting their own time before Monday to preparing for the school year.
Neither was paid for time devoted to preparation — which Dela Cruz says is typical. And they didn’t know of any Roosevelt teachers who heeded the state’s furlough condition. They spent Thursday and Friday preparing their classrooms even though they weren’t paid for it.
Dela Cruz shrugs: “We all put in some time.”
