The Hawaii State Teachers Association has asked the state Supreme Court to intervene in a request for relief from pay cuts contained in the teachers’ controversial new contract.

The contract, which Gov. Neil Abercrombie unilaterally implemented in July after state negotiators declared an impasse in bargaining, contains a 5 percent pay cut and an increase in teachers’ share of health premium costs, from 40 percent to 50 percent.

The union originally sought relief from the salary cuts from the Hawaii Labor Relations Board, and the board held a hearing on the motion on Aug. 10, but has not yet made a decision in the matter.

The Supreme Court filing from HSTA accuses the Labor Relations Board members of “purposeful refusal to make a prompt decision on a pending motion for interlocutory relief” and asks the Supreme Court to compel them to make a decision.

Read the full document here.