Teachers statewide took to their polling place to vote on a new 6-year contract.
Of the 13,000 HSTA union members - 9,000 showed up to weigh in. Only 33% voted in favor of the deal - while 67% resoundingly rejected it.
"The message is clear, they do not want this contract. I cannot speculate on the outcome but we will find out what the situation is," said Wil Okabe, HSTA President.
This is the first time teachers have rejected a deal for a new contract that the union board of directors supported.
What many teachers say weighed heavily on their minds, was that the contract would have allowed teachers to be rewarded with raises based on performance evaluations, beginning in 2013. But, how the state would go about "evaluating" teachers was unclear.
"I think the union did a bad job in getting information to the teachers about the new evaluation system that the state wants to implement," said Katie Nakamura, Noelani Elementary school teacher.
The contract would have meant a 50-50 medical split, an increase in personal leave from 5 days to 6 for each school year, and teachers salaries would be restored to the 2009 levels before furloughs in June 2013. Those who supported it said it was a good deal.
"We're the only union getting our pay restored we're asking for more than that, we're getting a 1% after that. We're trying to squeeze water out of dust, I don't know what else to expect beyond that," said Howard Chi, Stevenson Intermediate school teacher.
HSTA says it will now consider all options for moving forward. That could mean teachers will have to live with the state's 2-year 'last, best and final" offer. Or the union could call for a strike vote. Another route would be to continue its legal challenge with the state before the labor relations board. A move that impacts Hawaii's share of millions in federal Race to the Top funds.
"The most important thing we're going to do is to ask our members, have meetings with members to see exactly what we can do," said Okabe.
The HSTA says the board of directors will meet Saturday to discuss it options and hopes to hear from teachers in the next few weeks on what to do next.
