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