Mahalo Sign Waving, posted 4-30-2017

To: WIS Colleagues
From: Dawn Raymond, Hilo Chapter President
Posted by Joy Grabar
Date: 4-30-2017

Aloha -

Thank you very much for all that you are doing for our Chapter.

Since our contract ratification was successful, I would like to ask the members at your schools to do a school sign-waving before or after school on TUESDAY, MAY 2. Please use the same signs you were using. Please include the word "Mahalo". You may write or make "MAHALO" signs to paste over those signs.

Have a wonderful well deserved weekend.

Thank you,
Dawn Kiyoko Kainoa Raymond

Member Matters, posted 4-30-2017

To: WIS Colleagues
Re: hsta Member Matters, 4-28-2017
Posted by J. Grabar
Date: 4-30-2017

Vast majority says yes! 98% ratify HSTA contract   An overwhelming majority of the teachers who voted Thursday -- 98 percent -- voted to ratify the HSTA's tentative agreement with the state, clearing the way for pay raises and increased state contributions toward health premiums next school year. Many thanks to all of the teachers who voted. As we announced last night, the contract is ratified, and while the outstanding absentee ballots will not change the overall result, we will continue to accept absentee ballots through 5 p.m. on May 5. On that day, we will count the additional ballots and issue the final results. We will also follow up with the employer in the coming weeks to discuss implementation of the new contract as well as finalizing all of the documents to print the new contract for distribution at the start of new school year. See this Hawaii News Now story about the contract ratification vote. See this KITV Island News story about the contract ratification vote. See this KHON 2 News story about the contract ratification vote. Send the Negotiations Team feedback by emailing negotiations@hsta.org.     Lawmakers set aside millions in hotel room taxes for education House and Senate leaders reached a tentative deal Friday to increase the state’s hotel tax to help pay for construction of Honolulu’s rail system, setting aside $50 million of that hotel tax revenue for each of the next ten years for education in a newly created education special fund. "This new funding would not have been possible without the effort that so many of our HSTA members spent on the Constitutional Amendment. While the dollar amount may not be everything we had hoped for, the $500 million over ten years will go a long way toward improving public education in Hawaii," said HSTA President Corey Rosenlee. "We want to thank State Representatives Justin Woodson, Henry Aquino, Sylvia Luke and Scott Saiki as well as State Senators Donovan Dela Cruz, Lorraine Inouye, Clarence Nishihara, Jill Tokuda for ensuring that our public schools will have a new source of revenue," Rosenlee added. "We feel this is another important step forward in giving our keiki the schools they deserve." How do you think the state should spend the new $50 million on education each year? Send your ideas to info@hsta.org.   Workers Day May Day rally Monday at the Capitol   Calling all teachers: Meet Monday at 5 p.m. at the state Capitol on Oahu for a rally and march to the federal building. Let's gather in solidarity for the rights of organized labor and tell our state and federal leaders that we have a strong voice! "May Day is an opportunity for teachers to come together with our union brothers and sisters to show solidarity and resist recent attacks on working families," said HSTA Secretary-Treasurer Amy Perruso. "We need to articulate a broader, more inclusive vision for social and political change that begins with our students, our public schools and our teachers." For more information, contact Amy at aperruso@hsta.org.   EUTF health plan open enrollment extended untilMay 12; read FAQs and watch video  The open enrollment period for EUTF health plans has been extended two weeks until May 12. Ignore the previous deadline of April 28 on any previously-published electronic or hard copy documents.  The HSTA suggests that members take time to assess their current plan enrollment(s) and the health plans available.  It is in every member’s best interest to analyze the health plans available and decide which plan(s) best meet members and their family’s health care needs, taking cost and coverage into consideration. You are not required to do anything if you wish to remain with your current plan.   Read HSTA's comprehensive FAQ list on open enrollment that runs until May 12. EUTF has produced a 35-minute video about open enrollment that starts discussing health plan terms at the 10-minute mark and explains cost examples of different plans about 14 minutes into the video. See the EUTF open enrollment video here. Members who have questions can call EUTF’s main numbers 808-586-7390 or 800-295-0089.   Increase your skills and pay with HSTA PD! Enrollment underway   HSTA has successfully provided professional development for almost 800 teachers this school year. The courses our teachers are able to take include 21st century learning, inclusion, STEM, environmental education, cultural-based education, classroom management and teacher leadership. Our trainers, who are current practitioners, have led face-to-face and completely online courses. We are happy to announce summer courses are open for enrollment. HSTA’s Summer Internship Program is available on Oahu and Maui and endorsed in a recent Lotus Notes email by the state superintendent. We are also offering level two of the summer intern program for those teachers who are currently teaching secondary CTE. Please also consider registering for the National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) Jump Start course that will help you understand the NBCT process and get you started towards receiving a five-year $5,000 stipend from the state. Read more about all these courses and register here. Schools have been paying for teachers to take HSTA courses and receive PD credits, since they take place outside of the workday. To take advantage of this great deal, please register yourself for the course (so that you secure a seat) and once your school sends us payment, we will process a reimbursement to you. Schools can use HSTA Vendor #021749   Oahu volunteers needed to sort food donations May 13 Oahu teacher volunteers are needed to sort donations May 13 for the National Association of Letter Carriers 25th anniversary Food Drive. This union-driven food drive has grown to be the largest one-day food drive in our nation which helps to ensure our local food banks have enough supplies to meet the need of every child who is lacking a nutritional meal. For many students, the summer months mean the end of regular meals in school, causing families who participate in the Free and Reduced Lunch Program to seek food from food banks. The food collected from this drive will benefit our local food banks which according to the Hawaii Foodbank support more than 200 agencies that provide food to help feed one in five people each year in Hawaii. Able to help sort food donations at the Hawaii Food Bank on Oahu Saturday,May 13 from 4 to 10 p.m.? Sign up for 4 to 7 p.m. or 6:30 to 10 p.m. shifts or both. Deadline: April 28. Beverages and a meal will be offered to volunteers. Please wear your red HSTA shirts to show your spirit! Can't volunteer on May 13? Look for the blue bags in your mailbox and donate a few containers of non-perishable food. Mahalo for your generosity.   Free NEA/HSTA restorative justice training in June; Neighbor island slots available  For more information about HSTA/NEA restorative justice training, click here. Apply here by April 30 for the June 21-24 restorative justice training sessions on Oahu. Only 20 spots are available, so gather your school/district teams and apply for teams of up to four people. There is funding for up to two (2) teams from the neighbor islands that will cover airfare, hotel (double occupancy) and ground transportation.   HSTA’s Windward Chapter invites teachers across the state to register for free leadership training provided by NEA this fall. We need at least 30 members to register by May 19 in order to receive the training from NEA experts. Read more about free leadership training from NEA. Register by May 19.     Where are our priorities? According to the Council for Disability Awareness’ Study conducted in 2014, the top 3 MOST IMPORTANT THINGS in life are:  Health Income Home But, the three things we protect are:  Health, home, and car.  If INCOME is one of the most important things in life, why are we not protecting it? Learn more about long or short term income protection at our website, www.hstaveba.org or call our office at 808-440-6940 or 1-800-637-4926 (toll free from neighbor islands).   NEA Vacations! Just in time for summer vacation planning, the multifaceted NEA Vacations offers the guaranteed best value on hotels, luxury resorts, cruises, guided vacations and more. Members will be able to take care of all their travel planning needs, including domestic and international flights, by booking online or calling a Member Service Representative. Members may access NEA Vacations by registering on or logging into www.neamb.com and clicking on the Travel tab.  Members may also call the toll-free Member Service telephone number, 1-866-524-2807, for assistance. Heading to theme parks this summer? If your summer plans involve roller coasters and water slides, check out these insider tips to help you spend your time and money wisely. From NEA Member Benefits: Theme park vacations -- for less   Up-to-date information on merchant discounts, shipping terms and WOW Points appears on the NEA Click & Save Web page at www.neamb.com/clickandsave and may change at any time. Don’t forget to use your WOW Points—they’re just like cash (100 WOW Points = $1; plus, no blackout dates and no expiration)! Regal movie ticket deal for HSTA members Buy 10 Regal movie tickets for $89.90.  Dole Cannery Stadium 18, Windward Stadium 10, Pearl Highlands Stadium 12, Wharf Cinema Center (Lahaina). www.neamb.com/clickandsave   Question: Why haven't I received an HSTA membership card this year? Answer: We have delayed sending out membership cards since we are continuing to upgrade our systems here at HSTA which will allow us to better serve you in the future.  Also, HSTA staff are working on completely redesigning our website which will allow you to use the upcoming membership card/ID to gain access to exclusive member areas.  We can reassure you that your membership with HSTA is intact. We appreciate your patience with this process. Subscribe to and follow HSTA's social media accounts Be sure to subscribe to HSTA's YouTube channel and follow us on Instagram for the latest videos, photos and news about our Association and public schools in Hawaii. Subscribe to HSTA's YouTube channel here. Follow @HSTAvoice on Instagram.   Click here for more information about open enrollment from EUTF. Read HSTA's comprehensive FAQ list on open enrollment that runs April 3 to 28.   See the EUTF open enrollment video here. For more information about HSTA/NEA restorative justice training, click here. Apply here by April 30 for the June 21-24 restorative justice training sessions on Oahu. Read more about free leadership training from NEA. Register by May 19. From April 21: Read more from State Sen. Michelle Kidani, who said the House killed the Con Am bill, not the Senate. From April 14: Read DOE SpEd supports memo and HSTA's SpEd hearings summary here. From April 7: See the Negotiation Team's evaluation presentation made to the state here.

Copyright © 2017 Hawaii State Teachers Association, All rights reserved. Mahalo for your engagement. Our mailing address is: Hawaii State Teachers Association 1200 Ala Kapuna Street Honolulu, HI 96819 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list

Tentative agreement overwhelmingly ratified!, posted 4-27-2017

Tentative agreement ratified by overwhelming margin   Aloha Colleagues, I’m pleased to tell you that of the nearly 8,000 Hawaii State Teachers Association (HSTA) members who voted today, 98 percent voted to ratify a new four-year contract. While just over 60 percent of our teachers turned out for the vote today, we expect the final turnout to increase as absentee ballots are returned in the next week. The number of outstanding absentee ballots is not enough to change the outcome: overwhelming support for ratification. Mahalo to the thousands of teachers who voted today and to the teacher leaders and volunteers to staffed our 30 polling sites throughout the state.       Above: Volunteers at Waiakea High on Hawaii Island prepared for the vote today. Above: A long line of teachers checked in to vote at Moanalua High on Oahu. Above: Volunteers at Oahu's Leilehua High were ready for the 3 p.m. rush. Our goal from the start was to establish a fair and equitable contract that offers professional pay and improves working conditions to attract and retain the best and the brightest into classrooms to enhance student learning and give our keiki the schools they deserve. Through petitions, sign waving, emails, letters, phone calls and collective action, HSTA members have shown unwavering commitment to public education, putting pressure on the state to settle the contract in the best interests of teachers and their students. Without your many efforts such as wearing red for ed, sending in photos, marching on the Capitol and participating in Teacher Institute events as well as the March 7 Day of Action, we would not have created the momentum to reach settlement.  Rank and file members’ participation in our activities to show solidarity provided needed pressure at the bargaining table for the employer to believe that we were serious. Once again, I’d like to thank Gov. David Ige for his personal involvement in contract talks during the final week, which were key to closing the deal. As we move forward, our united stand will be important as we work to address the need for adequate funding for public schools and improvements in special education, class size and teacher evaluations. The successful outcome of this contract reminds us of the power of our union when we harness the knowledge, passion and strong commitment of our members to effect positive change in public education for both teachers and students.   Mahalo, Corey Rosenlee HSTA President Above: HSTA President Corey Rosenlee spent the afternoon at Ewa Makai Middle School's polling place on Oahu. Mahalo to the volunteers across the state who made today's vote happen.

Copyright © 2017 Hawaii State Teachers Association, All rights reserved. Mahalo for your engagement. Our mailing address is: Hawaii State Teachers Association 1200 Ala Kapuna Street Honolulu, HI 96819

Re: Watch a video of HSTA's Negotiations Team briefing teachers on their new contract and answering questions; Please vote after school!, posted 4-27-2017

To: Unit 5 Bargaining Unit Colleagues
From: hsta negotiations team, 7:28 pm
Posted by J. Grabar
Date: 4-27-2017

Watch a recording of today's Facebook live contract briefing; Don't forget to vote! For the first time ever, HSTA presented a live Facebook webcast from its Red Hill headquarters this afternoon to brief members on their tentative agreement with the state before ratification votes across Hawaii tomorrow. Watch HSTA President Corey Rosenlee, HSTA Negotiations Chair Osa Tui and HSTA Chief Negotiator Andrea Eshelman explain contract highlights and answer questions as members asked them via Facebook this afternoon during a 36-minute presentation. You can watch the briefing, read comments and questions on HSTA's Facebook page or if you're not on Facebook, here's a link to the briefing on HSTA's YouTube channel. The presentation begins a little more than two minutes into the Facebook recording. Be sure to forward this video or share the Facebook presentation with teacher friends who might not have been able to attend our 27 informational briefings around the state over the last three days. More information on our tentative agreement for you to review before our contract ratification vote Thursday, April 27: Here is an updated list of FAQs with new material highlighted in yellow. Important note: The EUTF has extended open enrollment until May 12. (See the FAQs above for more information) "We ask you for one final act of solidarity in our negotiations process," said Rosenlee. "We need a strong turnout and must assure that a majority of those who vote approve the contract so we can verify ratification of the settlement, allowing it to be funded by state lawmakers before they finalize their budget on Friday." Teachers must vote at their assigned polling place. Please double check your polling place location. Look up where you are assigned to vote here. Find your current salary on this chart and see how much the step increases and across-the-board raises will hike your pay over the next four years: Read the 2017-2021 teacher salary schedule for 10-month and 12-month teachers.  Click here to see updated EUTF employer contribution information.  Read this summary of our tentative agreement. Read the detailed tentative agreement contract language. See the informational meeting schedule, ratification vote times and locations and voting procedures. Have any questions? Email negotiations@hsta.org. Mahalo!

Copyright © 2017 Hawaii State Teachers Association, All rights reserved. Mahalo for your engagement. Our mailing address is: Hawaii State Teachers Association 1200 Ala Kapuna Street Honolulu, HI 96819

Tentative Agreement Vote; Reason why a strong turnout is needed on Thursday, posted 4-26-2017

To: WIS Colleagues
Re: Tentative Agreement Vote; Reason why a strong turnout is needed on Thursday, April 27, for Ratification Vote
From: Joy Grabar
Date: 4-26-2017

Hello, Friends,
Reiterating the reason why a strong turnout is needed for the Ratification Vote on Thursday, April 27, at Waiakea High School, 3 - 6 pm:

  "We need a strong turnout and must assure that a majority of those who vote approve the contract so we can verify ratification of the settlement, allowing it to be funded by state lawmakers before they finalize their budget on Friday," writes Corey Rosenlee. From the FAQs: "Only votes that have been cast will be counted towards the final results." 


This was the #1 question from this afternoon's WIS faculty meeting.
Thank you to our SLLs and everyone who will vote.
Joy Grabar

WIS Ratification Vote, Thursday, April 27, Waiakea High School Cafeteria, 3 - 6 pm, posted 4-25-2017

To: WIS Colleagues
From: Joy Grabar
Date: 2-25-2017
Re: Ratification Vote at Waiakea High School on Thursday, 3-6 pm

Hello, Friends!
Thank you to Randall who will serve as WIS's Ratification Vote poll site person at Waiakea High School Cafeteria from 3:00 until 6:00 pm on Thursday, April 27th. We all appreciate you.
Thank you to everyone who has stepped up to help and support our union efforts.

Re: Absentee Voting
Per the School Leader Lowdown memo, dated 4-24-2017:

If members are asking about absentee voting, please direct them to call HSTA 833-2711 (7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and request an absentee ballot no later than 5 pm, Wednesday, April 26. Absentee ballots are only available for members on sick, vacation or personal leave or for those who are required to be away from their school because of a work-related assignment. 

Aloha for checking this site regularly!
Sincerely, 
Joy Grabar

Tentative Agreement: New FAQs about contract settlement; Facebook live briefing Wednesday afternoon, posted 4-24-2017

To: WIS Colleagues
From: HSTA
Date: 4-24-2017, 6:08 pm
Posted by Joy Grabar

New information: Contract FAQs released; Facebook live contract briefing Wednesday at 4 p.m. Here's the latest important information on our tentative agreement for you to review before our contract ratification vote Thursday, April 27. Here is a detailed list of FAQs based on questions HSTA has received since the tentative agreement was approved by the Board of Directors on Saturday. We are adding another way for members to learn about the new contract, in addition to the 27 briefings happening today through Wednesday. We will present an HSTA first -- a Facebook live briefing -- on Wednesday, April 26starting at 4 p.m. HSTA President Corey Rosenlee, Negotiations Chair Osa Tui and HSTA Chief Negotiator Andrea Eshelman will brief members on contract highlights and answer questions during this live briefing, which will be archived at HSTA's Facebook page and loaded onto HSTA's YouTube site for teachers to replay at a convenient time. Find your current salary on this new chart and see how much the step increases and across-the-board raises will hike your pay over the next four years: Read the 2017-2021 teacher salary schedule for 10-month and 12-month teachers.  Click here to see updated EUTF employer contribution information.  Read this summary of our tentative agreement. Read the detailed tentative agreement contract language. See the informational meeting schedule, ratification vote times and locations and voting procedures. Have any questions? Email negotiations@hsta.org. Mahalo! Copyright © 2017 Hawaii State Teachers Association, All rights reserved. Mahalo for your engagement. Our mailing address is: Hawaii State Teachers Association 1200 Ala Kapuna Street Honolulu, HI 96819

Tentative Agreement: School voting locations listed; Poll worker virtual briefings Tues and Wed at 6 p.m.; Facebook live briefing Wed, posted 4-24-2017

To: WIS Colleagues From: Negotiations Team Date: 4-23-2017, 2:43 pm Posted by J. Grabar Note: Highlighted text is Joy Grabar's notation. Ratification vote preparations; Poll worker virtual briefings Tuesday and Wednesday Aloha School Level Leaders, Board of Directors and HSTA Staff, In this issue of the Lowdown, we will outline specific information you need to know to prepare for ratification voting on Thursday, April 27.  A list of voting locations including what schools are eligible to vote at each location can be found here. Please be reminded that each school is responsible for identifying one member from your school who will cover your ratification table at the poll site. Please make sure to confirm with your poll worker the time and location of voting. We will be holding two informational Zoom meetings for all poll workers on Tuesday, April 25 at 6 p.m. and Wednesday, April 26 at 6 p.m. To participate in the Zoom meeting via your computer or smartphone, follow the directions below: https://zoom.us/j/8088402233 or via phone by dialing: +1 646 558 8656 (US Toll) or +1 408 638 0968 (US Toll), meeting ID 8088402233 We have made arrangements so that HSTA leaders who are working at a poll location which is not their assigned polling site can vote where they are working. If members are asking about absentee voting, please direct them to call HSTA 833-2711 (7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and request an absentee ballot no later than 5 p.m.Wednesday, April 26. Absentee ballots are only available for members on sick, vacation or personal leave or for those who are required to be away from their school because of a work-related assignment.   We are adding another way for members to learn about the new contract, in addition to the 27 briefings happening today through Wednesday. We will present an HSTA first -- a Facebook live briefing -- on Wednesday, April 26 starting at 4 p.m.  HSTA President Corey Rosenlee, Negotiations Chair Osa Tui and HSTA Chief Negotiator Andrea Eshelman will brief members on contract highlights and answer questions during this live briefing, which will be archived at our Facebook site and loaded onto HSTA's YouTube site for teachers to replay at a convenient time. A Member Matters email will come out shortly announcing this event, which will also be promoted on Facebook. If you are getting questions from your members that you can’t answer, remind them that they can email negotiations@hsta.org or call their UniServ director. You can also refer them back to the Member Matters issues that came out over the weekend or the password-protected section of HSTA.org, where all the key documents have been loaded. An updated FAQ based on the questions we've received in person, by phone, online and via email will be sent out to members as soon as possible. Again, mahalo for all of your efforts in our most recent petition drive.  As you can see in the picture below, Gov. David Ige saw your petitions during the hours he spent personally talking with HSTA's Negotiations Team. As you can see below, the petitions remained on the wall and a large table in the state negotiation team's conference room at HSTA for the many hours they spent here Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of last week. All of our efforts -- from Institute Week, the March 7 Day of Action to the petition drive  -- helped us to push the employer over the finish line to reach this settlement agreement. Together we have made a difference. Mahalo!

Copyright © 2017 Hawaii State Teachers Association, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you are an HSTA school level leader, chapter president or staff member. Our mailing address is: Hawaii State Teachers Association 1200 Ala Kapuna Street Honolulu, HI 96819