Hi guys, thank you so much for all your kind words. Let me give you a brief rundown of what has happened so far.
Most UH professors belong to the UH Professional Assembly (UHPA). Public school teachers have their own union (HSTA).
HSTA has been working without a contract since June 1999 and were promised a pay raise in 1997 when they last threatened to strike. It came to a dramatic ending when they finally settled, at 4:30 in the morning of the scheduled strike. They've seen a slight increase, but not to the extent of what they were promised.
The UH professors haven't gotten a raise since I can't even remember when. In addition to that, they feel that they are being robbed with their member and retirement benefits. The amount of credit hours that professors are required to teach are also in question.
Both sets of teachers are among the lowest (if not the lowest) paid teachers in the entire country. To make matters worse, extensive research was done by our university's most respected and recognized accountants. They discovered that there is indeed enough money to fund pay raises on for both sets of teachers.
Last night it looked like UHPA was going to settle. Their demand is for a 14% pay increase with an additional 1% for merit pay. The state offered 12%, but neglected to provide a solution to the benefits and credit hours problem. UHPA rejected that offer and began their strike this morning. If anything, it's possible that UHPA and the state can settle this sometime soon (I hope).
HSTA demands a 22% pay increase and the state offered 11%. There is a 100 million dollar gap, so it's very unlikely that there can be a resolution to all of this.
Arriving on campus this afternoon was an ordeal. All campus entrances were blocked by picketers. As I approached the parking structure I was verbally assaulted by faculty who thought I was on campus to attend class. Luckily, a kind police officer forced the picketers to let me pass. What disheartens me is that these teachers are taking their frustrations out on the students who have no choice but to be on campus. I was again verbally assaulted as I crossed the picket line in order to go to work.
I am not graduating this semester, but I know a lot of people who are. Commencement exercises have been put on hold. Construction on campus has been put on hold. GAs and TAs are still required to go to work despite the fact that they wholeheartedly support the faculty. Not reporting to work means stiff penalities for them.
I support my teachers and the HSTA 100%. Our idiot of a governor says that there is no money, but we all know that's bull. The cost of living is extremely high, and because of that we have lost thousands of teachers because of inadequate pay. The quality of our education depends on retaining these teachers, and I hope my governor can stand firm to his re-election promise that "EDUCATION COMES FIRST". Still, I've already apologized profusely for voting for him in 1998.
Again, thank you for all your support and for reading my little vent above. I hope this can serve as a lesson to everyone. The HSTA's motto is "EDUCATING TODAY FOR OUR TOMORROW", and I pray that the governor can make that happen.
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"Talk doesn't cook rice."--Someone smart
Visit Alpha Gamma Delta-Delta Sigma chapter!
Sad day in Hawaii
. I heard that a window washer makes MORE than a teacher in San Francisco!!!!!!! 
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