Hawai’i educators secure union recognition after arbitration win

Aaron Kubo NEA Director Hawaii State Teachers Association
Aaron Kubo NEA Director Hawaii State Teachers Association

Educators at the Office of Information Technology Services (OITS) in Hawaiʻi have successfully defended their union rights following a dispute with the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education. The department’s state personnel officer initially argued that the Association Policy Committee (APC) language in the Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association (HSTA) contract did not apply to state office teachers.

Led by Head Faculty Representative John Roldan, OITS educators organized and elected their APC representatives, subsequently filing a grievance to assert their rights. “We advocated for our rights as BU05 members, and we are pleased with the decision in our favor,” Roldan stated. He also expressed gratitude for the guidance provided by their UniServ Director during the grievance process.

The core issue revolved around whether OITS, not being a traditional K–12 school, fell under the contract’s APC provisions. HSTA argued that “school” is interchangeable with “worksite” within the contract, granting all BU05 members equal union rights regardless of their workplace setting.

Following arbitration, an arbitrator ruled in favor of HSTA, confirming that HIDOE must recognize OITS’s APC under Article IV of the collective bargaining agreement. The decision emphasized mandatory APC representation at OITS meetings and reinforced protections for state office teachers across Hawai‘i.

The ruling also upholds broader consultation rights under Hawaiʻi law, specifically HRS § 89-9(c), which mandates HIDOE to consult with HSTA on major policy changes affecting employee relations. Without recognized APCs, office-based teachers lacked formal mechanisms for voicing concerns over work-related decisions.

OITS educator Cathy Fukada expressed satisfaction with the outcome: “I’m glad to see that the process works.” Justin Jansen, HSTA UniServ Director representing many state office teachers during arbitration, remarked on the significance of collective action: “This case is a powerful reminder that when educators organize and stand together, they can defend their rights—even against systems of exclusion.”

Jansen further noted that through organizing efforts and solidarity, OITS teachers reclaimed their voice and ensured comprehensive protection under union contracts for all public school teachers in Hawai‘i.

Organizations Mentioned: Hawaii State Teachers Association

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