Voice
August 25th, 2011
By ddepledge
By ddepledge
The Hawaii State Teachers Association, losing sympathy from other unions because of the tactics teachers have deployed in their contract fight with the state, are speaking directly to the public through paid advertising.
In the latest spot, Nelson Maeda, a teacher, counselor and football coach at Castle High School, explains that all teachers want is an arbitrator to help settle the matter but Gov. Neil Abercrombie has refused.
Teachers offered to resolve our contract by agreeing to a referee — an arbitrator — who would do what the Star-Advertiser said, `split the difference’ in our dispute with the governor. The governor said `No’ to that referee.
And that’s not what I teach my young football players.
Hear the spot here.
Posted in In Politics | 5 Comments »
Political Radar
August 25th, 2011 at 5:50 am
As a retiree from the DOE with over 37 yrs. of service and member of the HSTA, Okabe messed things up and is desperately clinging unto a slippery rock. He is the worse President the HSTA ever had and has sunk the union down to a laughing stock among the labor unions in Hawaii not to mention that there is no support or respect for HSTA anymore. Okabe is an IDIOT and needs to step down ASAP so the union can regain credibility. I would never be in an ad such as the latest spot that Maeda is in as it just makes the union look like their leader – AN IDIOT.
August 25th, 2011 at 10:37 am
Can’t split the difference if there is nothing to give. I don’t know the details of the dispute, but it is not always appropriate to split the difference. Normally, this person who is now governor likes to split the difference.
August 25th, 2011 at 11:00 am
They’re gonna regret not taking that “best, last offer.”. You watch.
All that money going to pay for advertising — first that “don’t turn your back on a friend” embarrassment and now this. Don’t you think the union should be saving that money for the fund for teachers when they go on strike? (Oh, wait, Hawaii state teachers NEVER go on strike. Oh, uh, wait. What?). And what good does union ads do anyway? They’re not selling cars, groceries, soda. Ahhhh, lose maahhhhhney (well, that seems to be one thing HSTA’s getting good at doing). I mean, who really warms up to these ads anyway? Fellow teachers, right (“ah, look, d’eah Nelson on TV.”)? Heck, send an e-mail, do a Youtube, cheaper, tch.
August 25th, 2011 at 11:15 am
Sounds like ex parte communication to the Court of Public Opinion.
August 27th, 2011 at 1:17 am
Heard the ad. Not at all persuasive. Neil’s last best final myway or da hiway offer looks pretty good from the outside. Wish we could pay teachers much more, but not this year.