hsta updates : Member Matters: Vote in tomorrow's primary; Bargaining begins Monday; Wear red for ed Tuesday; Updated RA dates; Kona ESSA task force this Wednesday, 8-12-2016

HSTA begins contract negotiations Monday; please wear red for ed Tuesday!

HSTA's negotiations team holds its first bargaining session with the state Monday when it will deliver its initial contract proposals to the employer.

Look for a special email late Monday or early Tuesday with an update about the first bargaining session, a video presentation and a compensation survey.

Please wear the color red to work on Tuesday in a show of support for the team and collective bargaining power. Also, the negotiations team would be happy to receive messages of support and photos from fellow teachers at negotiations@hsta.org.

The negotiations team is made up of Paul Daugherty (Kona), Shannon Kaaa (Honolulu), Diane Mokuau (Molokai), Corey Rosenlee (HSTA president) and Osa Tui (Honolulu).

Please vote in tomorrow's primary election and support the candidates who support HSTA

If you haven't already voted early either in person or by mail, please turn out tomorrow (Sat., Aug. 13) when polling places statewide are open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the primary election. If you are in line at 6 p.m., you will be allowed to vote.

Please be sure to support those candidates who are recommended by HSTA.

Read the list of HSTA's recommended primary election candidates

To find your polling place, call the state's Office of Elections at 808-453-VOTE (8683). Be sure to bring a valid photo ID with you to vote.

For information about voting in the primary election, click here.

If you received an absentee ballot in the mail but haven't sent it in, you can still vote with it but do NOT send it in the mail tonight or tomorrow. Instead, drop it off at any polling place or the County Clerk's office on your island between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. primary Election Day.

Updated chapter RAs, executive board meeting dates listed for new school year

HSTA chapter presidents throughout the state have set initial dates for RA and executive board meetings. Some of those dates have changed since we first announced them last week.

Contact your chapter president to confirm the dates, times and locations. This list is subject to change.

August 2016
August 16: Honolulu RA
August 16: Kauai RA
August 16: Kohala RA
August 16: Windward EB
August 18: Central EB
August 18: Kona EB
August 22: Lanai EB
August 23: Hilo RA
August 23: Lanai RA
August 23: Leeward RA
August 24: Molokai EB
August 25: Central RA
August 25: Kona RA
August 30: Molokai RA
August 30: Windward RA

September 2016
September 6: Honolulu EB
September 6: Kohala RA
September 6: Leeward EB
September 13: Hamakua RA
September 13: Honolulu RA
September 13: Kauai EB
September 13: Maui EB
September 13: Windward EB
September 20: Leeward RA
September 20: Maui RA
September 20: Molokai RA
September 22: Central EB
September 22: Kona EB
September 27: Hilo EB
September 27: Kauai RA
September 27: Windward RA
September 29: Central RA
September 29: Kona RA

See RA/EB meeting dates for the rest of the school year here

Important protection from HSTA VEBA Trust

While we all hope our members will remain healthy throughout their working years, the reality is we don’t know when we may become ill or injured and run out of paid sick leave days. The HSTA VEBA Trust is committed to HSTA members, and offers a Short Term Income Protection plan especially for active HSTA members.

As an added benefit, the HSTA VEBA Trust will subsidize up to $10 of the monthly premium for members who enroll in and maintain the maximum coverage for which they are eligible.

To learn more about this plan, visit www.hstaveba.org or call the HSTA VEBA Trust office at 440-6940 (Oahu) or 1-800-637-4926 (neighbor islands).

Big Island teachers: ESSA task force meets at Kealakehe High Aug. 17

Please turn out to speak your minds at Gov. David Ige's next Every Student Succeeds Task Force meeting Wed.,Aug. 17, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., at Kealakehe High School on Hawaii Island.

Join us to share HSTA member ideas to improve public education in Hawaii to create the schools our keiki deserve. Please wear your red HSTA shirt to the town hall meeting on your island.

For a list of the ESSA town halls and to register, click here.

Please make time to show up and be heard at the upcoming ESSA meetings nearest you.