Author: support@14oranges.com

ICYMI: Proposed DOTAX Kauai Reorganization; Unions for Teachers & Principals Want DOE Leadership Change

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March 3, 2021

READ: Proposed DOTAX Kauai Reorganization

On March 2, The Garden Island reported that the state Department of Taxation plans to reduce staff and reorganize the Kauai District Tax Office. HGEA Executive Director Randy Perreira believes the reorganization will negatively impact the community with a reduction of DOTAX services available to residents on Kauai despite the state saying it does not anticipate any noticeable reduction in services.

Read The Garden Island article online

WATCH: Unions for Teachers & Principals Want DOE Leadership Change

On March 2, Unit 6 board member and Waiakea High School Principal Kelcy Koga was on Hawaii News Now, explaining the Unit 6 board’s position on the need for leadership change at the highest level of the Department of Education.

View the Hawaii News Now story online

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OAHU: 543-0000 BIG ISLAND: 935-6841 MAUI: 244-5508 KAUAI: 245-6751

March 3, 2021

BOE Meeting: HGEA opposes RIFs, Unit 6 Board calls for leadership change, add your voice to the conversation

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March 3, 2021

BOE Meeting: HGEA opposes RIFs, Unit 6 Board calls for leadership change, add your voice to the conversation

There are several important items on the Board of Education agenda that may be of interest to HGEA members this Thursday, March 4. The Human Resources Committee meeting begins at 11 a.m. and will be taking action on recommendations regarding:

HR committee agenda item:

The annual reduction in force (“RIF”) for classified employees

HGEA opposes the RIF because it is premature to take action on a reduction of 103 permanent employees based on an outdated directive of ten percent budget cuts. The current budget reduction at the school level has been revised to one percent. See the full testimony in opposition here.

HR committee agenda item:

A new Superintendent Employment Contract

The Unit 6 board of directors submitted testimony in opposition to renewing the Superintendent’s contract. See testimony here.

We find it highly unusual that not all of the action items from the HR Committee made it on to the General Board Meeting agenda at 1:30 p.m. Why is it that the RIF will be up for Board action but not the Superintendent’s contract?

Also up for discussion at the General Board Meeting is a presentation by Department of Education Superintendent Christina Kishimoto and her leadership team regarding the DOE’s strategies for the safe reopening of elementary and secondary schools to more in-person learning for the fourth quarter of SY 2020-21.

If you are interested in submitting testimony go to the BOE website or click below.

Submit Testimony to the BOE

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OAHU: 543-0000 BIG ISLAND: 935-6841 MAUI: 244-5508 KAUAI: 245-6751

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March 3, 2021

HGEA Unit 6 Directors call for change in DOE leadership

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HGEA Unit 6 Directors call for change in DOE leadership

This Thursday, March 4, the Hawaii Board of Education’s Human Resources Committee will discuss Department of Education Superintendent Christina Kishimoto’s employment contract. After much intense discussion about her leadership during the past four years, the HGEA Unit 6 Board of Directors recommends a change in leadership when the Superintendent’s contract expires on July 31, 2021.

The Unit 6 BOD is calling for a new leadership team that will:

Listen to the voice of educational officers (EO) and respect feedback from the frontlines
Provide clear guidance and direction that is properly communicated to the field; one voice on health and safety matters
Provide resources for EOs to carry out directives; don’t publicly announce policy changes then leave EOs to “figure it out.”

READ: Unit 6 Board Testimony

The Human Resources Committee headed by Chair Dwight Takeno will discuss the Superintendent’s employment contract and make a recommendation to the Board of Education.

Click on the link below for agendas and information.

11:00 a.m. Human Resources Committee

The Unit 6 board has taken a position. If you would like to submit testimony use the link below or go to the Hawaii BOE website.

Submit Testimony

Phone: (808) 543-0000 | Web: www.hgea.org

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OAHU: oahudiv@hgea.org

HAWAII: hawaiidiv@hgea.org

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OAHU: 543-0000 BIG ISLAND: 935-6841 MAUI: 244-5508 KAUAI: 245-6751

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March 2, 2021

Pro-worker highlights: Public workers keep Hawaii’s economy going & Hawaii tops U.S. in 2020 union membership

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March 1, 2021

Column: Public workers keep Hawaii’s economy going

In case you missed it, read this weekend’s pro-worker highlights in the Honolulu-Star Advertiser.

On Sunday, February 28, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser published a joint Op-Ed from Hawaii’s public sector unions outlining how public workers have not only kept our economy going through this pandemic, but will also be key to Hawaii’s economic recovery.

Read the Star-Advertiser column online

Read the public sector unions joint Op-Ed here

READ: Hawaii tops U.S. in union membership in 2020

On Saturday, February 27, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported that Hawaii’s union membership of 23.7% was the highest in the nation in 2020 and more than double the national average.

Read the article online

Staradvertiser.com login required to view Honolulu Star-Advertiser content.

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OAHU: 543-0000 BIG ISLAND: 935-6841 MAUI: 244-5508 KAUAI: 245-6751

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Final Call: Candidate Forms for 2021 HGEA State Board Election Due March 4

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March 1, 2021

Final Call: Candidate Forms Due March 4

This Thursday, March 4, 2021 is the deadline to submit completed forms, including nomination petitions, for the 2021-2023 HGEA State Board of Directors Election. Active HGEA members interested in running can apply online or pick up a candidate packet at any of the HGEA island division offices.

If you have any questions, please contact HGEA Field Support Specialist Ann Ebesuno at (808) 987-3389.

Apply now

Phone: (808) 543-0000 | Web: www.hgea.org

Send us an Email

OAHU: oahudiv@hgea.org

HAWAII: hawaiidiv@hgea.org

MAUI: mauidiv@hgea.org

KAUAI: kauaidiv@hgea.org

OAHU: 543-0000 BIG ISLAND: 935-6841 MAUI: 244-5508 KAUAI: 245-6751

Moving forward by safely bringing more students back to campuses

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Feb. 25, 2021

Moving forward by safely bringing more students back to campuses

As you know, many HGEA Department of Education members have been working continuously on campus since the start of the pandemic. Now, metrics are showing that COVID-19 rates are declining and our state’s vaccination plan is gaining speed with more than 326,766 vaccinations given to date according to the Department of Health.

This encouraging data on vaccinations and declining positivity rates supports efforts to have more students physically present in schools. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, new research and data have emerged to guide the safe reopening. In fact, at the recent HGEA Educational Officers Institute, Dr. Sarah Kemble, Department of Health deputy state epidemiologist, said that layered mitigation strategies including wearing masks and good hygiene have proven successful in private schools and other industries such as the healthcare field where social distancing is not possible.

HGEA has been engaging with and listening to concerns and expectations of principals who are responsible for crafting their school’s plan to make in-person learning safe and possible. We also know this means working out the logistics in order to carry out their plan. We will continue to advocate strongly for safe working conditions for all DOE employees.

HGEA supports efforts to safely bring students back to school with updated clear direction and protocols from the DOE Superintendent and supported by guidance from the DOH. It is our understanding that this guidance is currently being updated. We also believe that the engagement of the entire school community, including families, teachers, and staff, regarding these measures should be a priority.

We want to thank the leadership of U.S. Senator Brian Schatz and Hawaii House Speaker Scott Saiki who continue to bring leaders and key stakeholders together to help facilitate discussions that will lead to the best possible outcome for Hawaii’s students and families. The longer we keep children out of classrooms the farther many will fall behind.

Phone: (808) 543-0000 | Web: www.hgea.org

Send us an Email

OAHU: oahudiv@hgea.org

HAWAII: hawaiidiv@hgea.org

MAUI: mauidiv@hgea.org

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OAHU: 543-0000 BIG ISLAND: 935-6841 MAUI: 244-5508 KAUAI: 245-6751

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Fighting for fair pay: MCEC Unit 35 excluded managerial members

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Feb. 25, 2021

Fighting for fair pay: MCEC Unit 35 excluded managerial members

HGEA is committed to fighting for fair pay and your retirement benefits, healthcare and workplace safety. It has come to HGEA’s attention that the DOE arbitrarily decided not to pay their Unit 35 excluded managerial employees’ comparable salary and benefit adjustments that they are owed as required by law. This failure to pay earned benefits has caused our union brothers and sisters at the DOE to be paid less than their counterparts in other jurisdictions.

In response to this inequity, HGEA sent the attached letter to Department of Education Superintendent Christina Kishimoto calling on her to make sure all affected members are properly paid.

READ: HGEA letter to Sup. Christina Kishimoto

According to Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 89C – 3 (b) (2) “. . . the respective director shall. . . Ensure that adjustments for excluded civil service employees result in compensation and benefit packages that are at least equal to the compensation and benefits packages provided under collective bargaining agreements for counterparts and subordinates within the employer’s jurisdiction. . .”

The violation covers the contract effective July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2021 and corresponds to Unit 13 collective bargaining adjustments.

This matter is expected to be on the Board of Education’s agenda at the March 4 meeting. Stay tuned for eBulletin updates as we continue to advocate on your behalf.

Phone: (808) 543-0000 | Web: www.hgea.org

Send us an Email

OAHU: oahudiv@hgea.org

HAWAII: hawaiidiv@hgea.org

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Due March 4: Candidate Forms for 2021 HGEA State Board Election

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Feb. 22, 2021

Candidate Forms Due March 4

Candidate packets for the 2021-2023 HGEA State Board of Directors Election are available now. Interested candidates can apply online or pick up a packet at any of the HGEA island division offices. Deadline to submit completed forms and nomination petitions is 4:30 p.m., Thursday, March 4, 2021, to any HGEA division office.

If you have any questions, please contact HGEA Field Support Specialist Ann Ebesuno at (808) 987-3389.

Apply now

Phone: (808) 543-0000 | Web: www.hgea.org

Send us an Email

OAHU: oahudiv@hgea.org

HAWAII: hawaiidiv@hgea.org

MAUI: mauidiv@hgea.org

KAUAI: kauaidiv@hgea.org

OAHU: 543-0000 BIG ISLAND: 935-6841 MAUI: 244-5508 KAUAI: 245-6751

TAKE ACTION: Support Direct Aid to States and Counties

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Feb. 20, 2021

TAKE ACTION: Support Direct Aid to States and Counties

Flexible, direct aid is now needed to avoid deep cuts in vital public services. AFSCME, your international union, supports President Biden’s $1.9 trillion plan as a starting point for Congress to put together a robust economic recovery package — which includes an estimated $2 billion in flexible aid to Hawaii state and county governments — and expects a full House vote on the Biden Relief Plan the week of February 22 and a Senate vote soon afterward. AFSCME is working hard to save our state budget — in times like this, it pays to be an HGEA/AFSCME member and belong to a union that fights for you.

Thank you to Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono and Congressman Kai Kahele for their support of funding to preserve state and county public services. Call Congressman Ed Case at 1 (855) 329-5629 or email him and urge him to support the relief package to provide aid as soon as possible.

Please share this with your family and friends in other industries or organizations to sign on and show support for $350 billion in flexible aid for states, cities and counties to keep public services available and help in our economic recovery.

Join Sign-on Letter

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OAHU: oahudiv@hgea.org

HAWAII: hawaiidiv@hgea.org

MAUI: mauidiv@hgea.org

KAUAI: kauaidiv@hgea.org

OAHU: 543-0000 BIG ISLAND: 935-6841 MAUI: 244-5508 KAUAI: 245-6751