Governor Statement on HSTA Mediation Outcome


By:  Neil Abercrombie
Date: Oct. 4, 2012
Location: Honolulu, HI

On August 20, 2012 the Hawai'i State Teachers Association (HSTA) and the State of Hawai'i agreed to engage the help of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to resolve our differences for the sake of students and school teachers. Today, the Federal Mediator informed the State that HSTA will no longer continue that process of mediation.

Governor Neil Abercrombie released the following statement:

"The Federal Mediator has informed us that HSTA is ending their participation in mediation. I am very disappointed that HSTA once again is not willing to engage in discussions that could resolve outstanding issues.

"For many months, we repeatedly asked HSTA to come to the table to have meaningful and good-faith negotiations. When they refused to participate in negotiations, we agreed on Federal Mediation as a way to move forward and resolve our differences.

"We continue to remain willing to engage in mediation. It is impossible to negotiate with people who refuse to talk."