WATCH LIVE: State and teachers union officials discuss tentative contract

Gov. Josh Green, the Hawaii Department of Education and the Hawaii State Teachers Association are holding a press conference this afternoon to discuss a tentative agreement between the state and the union representing Hawaii’s 13,500 public school teachers on a new four-year contract.

The contract includes salary increases in each of the next four years, changes to the salary structure and increases in employer contribution to health premiums.

“We’re talking about being able to afford to live in Hawaii,” said Green, adding that the salary bumps will help to retain existing teachers and recruit new ones to Hawaii.

>> RELATED: State and teachers union reach tentative agreement

According to an HSTA news release, the union’s Negotiations Committee recommended the agreement to the board of directors, which voted to approve it during special meetings Saturday, sending it to the bargaining unit membership for ratification. The tentative contract would run from July 1 through June 30, 2027, the statement said.

Speakers include Green, Hawaii Department of Education Superintendent Keith Hayashi and Hawaii State Teachers Association president Osa Tui Jr.

“This is the strongest contract that we’ve ever had,” Tui Jr. said. “Ultimately, this is going to help with retention and recruitment.”

The livestream is scheduled for 2 p.m.