Union: Hawaii teachers vote on contract in April

Union: Hawaii teachers to vote on tentative contract in April; info sessions beforehand

Oskar Garcia, Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) -- Hawaii's teachers union has set an April 17 date to vote on a new contract.

The vote comes after a tentative deal was reached over the weekend between the Hawaii State Teachers Association and the state.

Union officials said on the association's Facebook page early Monday that before the vote, teachers will be able to review the contract and ask questions at information sessions before the final vote.

The union also posted a link to the 106-page agreement.

The teachers' last contract expired in June 2011.

Teachers voted down a contract offer in January last year, then tried to pressure the state to accepting it later by voting on it again and passing it.

The sides sought the help of a federal mediator this month.