|
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
PRESS RELEASE
(for immediate release – Thursday, September 27, 2007)
Contact: click here to email newsroom
(684) 633-4116 - Fax: (684) 633-2269 - Cell: (684) 731-8989
Gov. Togiola’s statement on
a proposed teachers strike
(UTULEI) – Governor Togiola Tulafono today issued a statement on a proposed teachers strike as reported in the local media.
The following is the official statement from Governor Togiola:
STATEMENT
“Since the strike organizer is pressuring the Fono to pass this act, I feel it is necessary to comment on my position with regard to the bill as it is proposed.
The bill itself is its own weakness. I do not believe that special legislation is the way to address compensation for teachers, or any other employee classes in government. Subsequent changes to the structure of teachers’ wages will be subject to the same lengthy and exhausting process of passing legislation, when more flexible measures are available.
Another weakness in the bill is the fact that it conflicts with the Fiscal Year 2008 Budget Bill. The sources of funding are exactly the same except in one minor instance, which would result in the Legislature appropriating the same revenue twice.
As a continuing obligation that American Samoa Government is bound to pay year after year, a new source of funding must be proposed. If a new source of funding is not proposed, then the money for increasing teacher wages must be carved out of current budgets. Current budgets are already under pressure from the five percent across-the-board cuts in 2007 and our modest 2008 proposals.
Suffice it to say, the Administration has been working on a plan to address this issue with the Director of Education.
Our plan will be a system that will address not only the present wages of teachers in our Territory, but educator advancement and other benefits relative to performance and continued education for teachers.
When this Administration began, we heard the collective voice of our teachers when they asked for more educational opportunities. We answered that call.
We hear the collective voice of teachers asking for a better wage structure and benefits.
Be assured that we will answer this call as well, with a carefully measured and appropriate response.
I simply ask that we exercise patience and caution at this time.
Our children’s education should be a collaborative venture, not a bargaining chip.”
|
