The University of Hawaiçi faculty union on Thursday filed a motion for a temporary restraining order, asking a state court to stop UH President M.R.C. Greenwood from unilaterally imposing salary reductions for UH faculty.

The temporary restraining order would halt the nearly 6.7 percent pay reduction. The UH Professional Assembly asked that the First Circuit Court make the restraining order effective as soon as possible and before Jan. 15, 2010, the first faculty pay day of 2010.
UHPA also asked the court to order an arbitration over UHPA’s class grievance that was filed with Greenwood.
“This is a day of mixed feelings for the faculty. On the one hand, it is encouraging that President Greenwood will personally participate in the negotiations,” J.N. Musto, UHPA executive director and chief negotiator, said on the union’s Web site.
“On the other hand, we are disappointed that she has not retracted her unilateral decision to impose the faculty salary reductions that became effective January 1. This left us no other alternative but to file a motion for a temporary restraining order in Circuit Court to halt this action,” Musto said.
Greenwood issued a written statement that said, “The university administration is disappointed with the union’s legal action, and we intend to oppose UHPA’s request for an injunction halting the temporary pay reductions. The reductions are necessary to stabilize the financial crisis at the University of Hawaiçi.”