Bargaining

From the EdSource Web Site:

The employment contract between a school district and its employee representatives is negotiated in a legally prescribed process called collective bargaining. This report explains how it works, how conflicts are resolved, and who is involved. Charts give a picture of the flow of the process from the initial union proposal to a signed contract as well as how a charge of unfair labor practice is settled.

At least once every three years the employer (the school board) and the exclusive bargaining agent of the employees (the unions) meet to negotiate a prescribed variety of items. The report includes a long list of those items, from compensation to job assignment, layoff, and reemployment procedures.

Negotiations typically take several months, and the process can be adversarial or cooperative. A “sunshine” law encourages public input, initially when the proposals are made, when new subjects are introduced, and prior to the adoption of the final contract. The actual discussions are almost always held in private. Typical concerns in negotiations are facts—data about the district’s budget—and clear communication.

Collective bargaining is administered by the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB), which handles disputes and other decisions. PERB has become a powerful quasi-judicial body.

Bargaining Updates

Bargaining Updates will be posted on the blog as we reach them. Click below to see current and past updates.