Lawmakers will consider bills to fix salary compression, end salary class cap
With Hawaii expecting an improved economic outlook, leaders at the state Legislature plan on introducing proposals aimed at finally paying teachers for their years of experience, fixing salary compression.
HSTA contract updated with gender-neutral language
The 2021–23 Hawaii State Teachers Association Collective Bargaining Agreement, or contract, has been updated with gender-neutral language. Previous contracts utilized masculine pronouns in reference to gender types.
Health insurance plans will cover cost of at-home COVID-19 tests starting Jan. 15
Beginning Jan. 15, group health plans (self-insured plans) and health insurance issuers (such as insurance companies) must cover the cost of at-home over-the-counter COVID-19 tests approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, regardless of whether tests are ordered by a healthcare provider. Coverage must be provided without cost-sharing, prior authorization, or other medical-management requirements.
Educators should not feel obligated to volunteer to substitute for absent teachers
Despite the Hawaii State Department of Education’s repeated claims that there are plenty of substitute teachers in the pool (they say 3,200), we know otherwise. Many substitutes in that pool are not accepting jobs during COVID-19. Some of them tell us they’re getting a half dozen or more calls a day and turning them down.
HSTA demands bargaining as omicron surge triggers school closures, teacher reassignments
This week, the Hawaii State Teachers Association submitted a new demand for impact bargaining to interim Schools Superintendent Keith Hayashi and Hawaii Board of Education Chair Catherine Payne over recent changes by the Hawaii State Department of Education to members’ working conditions without appropriate negotiation or a consult-and-confer process, which are violations of our contract, HIDOE policy, and state law.
Schools scrambling without direction from HIDOE as omicron cases surge
Unfortunately, with omicron cases soaring, the HIDOE still appears woefully unprepared to manage staffing and COVID-19 response with entire classes moved to cafeterias, gyms, or auditoriums given teacher absences and substitute shortage.
HIDOE updates return to school/work criteria to reflect quarantine changes
The two major areas that have changed include definitions for being boosted or fully vaccinated recently, for purposes of quarantine requirements, and a reduction in the number of days someone would need to quarantine from 10 to five.
Financial assistance, loan options available to HSTA members
The coronavirus pandemic has taken a heavy financial toll on many Hawaii families, our members included. With all that is going on, bills still need to be paid, groceries purchased, and basic needs met. Many individuals and families may also experience changes to employment that can affect household income.
HSTA’s Government Relations Committee spotlights priorities for the 2022 Legislature
The Hawaii State Legislature will convene on Jan. 19. Here are the priorities we will be advocating at the Legislature. HSTA members are encouraged to attend their chapter’s legislative reception to share these priorities with their area lawmakers.
Hawaii public schools experiencing staffing shortages due to omicron variant
With the recent surge in omicron-variant COVID-19 cases in the islands, Hawaii public schools saw 1,600 staff absences Wednesday, the Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) revealed in a press conference.