Pubdate: Wed, 02 May 2007
Source: Honolulu Advertiser (HI)
Copyright: 2007 The Honolulu Advertiser, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.
Contact:  http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/195
Author: Wray Jose

BLAME GOV. LINGLE, NOT UNION, FOR PROVISION

Those who criticize the Hawai'i State Teachers Association as having 
"bargained away" their civil rights are misguided.

What HSTA bargained for teachers was a contract proposal that 
included a pay raise.

It was Gov. Linda Lingle's idea to tie that pay raise to random drug 
testing on a take-it-or-leave-it basis.

If the controversial package had not been submitted to the rank and 
file, thousands of teachers would have been disappointed they were 
not given a chance to decide for themselves whether to accept or reject it.

The decision to send it out to teachers for a vote was entirely 
reasonable. Instead of criticizing HSTA, those upset with random drug 
testing should direct their anger at the true source of their frustration.

Wray Jose

Honolulu
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