Collaborative Bargaining:
Searching for Mutual Gain

NCLB Strategy

Background:

The movement toward increased communication, cooperation and collaboration among the Board of Education, teaching professionals, support staff and administrators is essential to successfully manage the complex changes and issues school districts face today.

School Boards and bargaining units have begun to realize that traditional adversarial relationships may be counterproductive to balancing all the educational variables and providing for the long-term “health” of the district. As a result, there has been a shift toward negotiations based upon a shared commitment and a search for mutual gains when resolving important and difficult issues.

Project Outcomes:

• Review the philosophy and process for collaborative bargaining.
• Discuss the strengths and areas for improvement within the current bargaining process.
• Practice eight (8) interpersonal communication and constructive feedback skills.
• Use seven (7) structured problem solving and decision-making techniques.
• Develop a statement of mission, ground rules, operating principles and timeline for contract negotiations.

Example:

Collaborative Bargaining: Questions to Consider

• Is there mutual interest in the collaborative bargaining process?
• Do examples of collaboration currently exist within the district?
• How have recent negotiations been characterized?
• Is there common agreement on the benefits of collaborative bargaining for our school district?
• Is collaborative bargaining worth the risk?
• Are all parties committed to participating in the training and planning sessions?