UH Administration response to UHPA

University of Hawaiʻi
Contact:
Carolyn Tanaka, (808) 381-7752
Assoc. VP, External Affairs and University Relations
Posted: Dec 29, 2009

We strongly disagree with UHPA’s allegation that yesterday’s action implementing the administration’s final formal offer is a “breach of contract.”
 
The University of Hawaiʻi is following the law.
 
UHPA is in error in their interpretation of the language of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Former Justice Mario Ramil issued a very narrow ruling and only stated that the CBA between UH and UHPA continued during negotiations for a new contract. After 15 months of negotiations, the parties are at impasse under State law and thus, there are no more negotiations. The CBA clearly states that the negotiations for renewal of a contract "shall be as provided by law".
 
With negotiations at an impasse, and no resolution to the budget crisis, we must move forward with the implementation of our final formal offer.