ZIPPY'S CAN DRUG-TEST, WHY CAN'T HSTA?

The HSTA says it can't find a constitutionally acceptable means to
implement random drug testing for Hawai'i's teachers.

Yet every Zippy's restaurant proudly displays signs stating their
employees are drug free and subject to drug testing.

So we should feel comfortable knowing that the person cooking our
chili is not under the influence of an illegal drug, while the same
cannot be said of the teacher responsible for the education of our
most cherished national asset, our children?

We all know about Hawai'i's drug problem, so it's important to ensure
this problem doesn't invade our critical institutions, like the
education department.

Didn't the HSTA sign a contract requiring random drug testing and
accepting pay increases? If they won't comply with testing, why
shouldn't the pay raises be rescinded?

Contracts mean you're legally bound to oblige by the agreement. Why is
it so hard for the HSTA to find a legally acceptable way to do the
drug testing when there are thousands of groups around the nation who
already submit to random drug testing (e.g., the military and certain
city, state and federal workers, commercial drivers, private
corporations, etc.)?

Zippy's has found a way to conduct random drug tests, considers it
important enough to their business and has implemented it - but the
HSTA is still having problems. Hmmm - maybe the HSTA leadership should
be replaced by obviously more intelligent management personnel from
the restaurant chain.

Gary Stark

Honolulu