Collective Bargaining

The term collective bargaining refers to contractual negotiations between employers and groups of employees to determine specific conditions of employment. The results of these negotiations are referred to as collective bargaining agreements. In most instances, school employees are legally represented in the bargaining process by unions or some other labor organizations. Collective bargaining is governed by a variety of different laws, including administrative agency regulations, federal and state statutory laws, and judicial decisions. Even though collective bargaining laws vary considerably from state to state, the majority of these statutes include the following minimum provisions: a duty to negotiate in good faith, formal appeals procedures, and contractual provisions discussing the ability of teachers to strike.

The National Labor Relations Act, a comprehensive federal statute, covers bargaining practices ...