Negotiations Service Includes:
Preparations for Negotiations
The research assistance provided to participating districts, though the use of computers, has included:
- Comparative analysis of the requesting District's salary structure (regardless of bargaining unit) to that of other component districts;
- Comparison of benefit structures (sick leave, personal leave, maternity leave, retirement benefits, etc.) of components districts;
- Analysis of negotiated settlements (teacher, non-instructional, and administrative);
- Compilation and analysis of trends in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of the four most often used indices. (Available data is from 1913 to present)
Preparation of Demands
This part of the negotiations process is tailored to each individual district.
Selection of Negotiating Team
This office is prepared to assist districts in the selection of the Districts representatives who will be participating in the process.
Analysis of Data and Development of Counter Proposals
This research has enabled districts going into negotiations to assess their relative position to other districts in their area. In addition, when massaged such information has proved invaluable in the preparation of, and rebuttal to, fact-finding briefs. Prior to the use of computers, the ability to analyze such information was limited. The capability to format information both in chart and graphic form has greatly enhanced a district's ability to convince both unions and outside neutrals as to the merits of its case. By having advance information, districts have been able to avoid or circumvent those areas which could provide to be deleterious.
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Analysis of Data and Development of Counter Proposals
In addition to preparing for negotiations, the Employer/Employee service has the ability, through the use of portable computers, to immediately cost out, at the bargaining table, any financial proposal given or received. This ability has offset the possibility for misunderstanding or error between the parties, and has permitted a district to test and/or apply some creative solutions to problem areas. The results have been that the parties have been able to conclude negotiations with a clear understanding of the financial impact of a settlement. This resulting understanding appears to have helped in the improvement of labor relations, in that neither party feels that there is some hidden agenda or some misunderstanding(s) that will surface at as later date.
Drafting the Contract
Historically, the Office of Employer/Employee Relations has been involved in reducing the contract language all agreed upon changes to the Collective Bargaining Agreement that resulted from negotiations.
Ratification
After a tentative agreement has been reached, this Office is generally involved with the presentation to and approval by the Board of Education.
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