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.
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