Archive: July 2006

Negotiations
By Steve Kaplan, UniServe Field Organizer

Article 4 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement sets out procedures for negotiations between SDEA and the District. The first section of the article sets out a series of timelines for when SDEA must make its initial proposal; for when the District makes its initial proposal; and for when negotiations begin.

• Negotiation sessions are scheduled at mutually agreeable times and places (Section 4.3).
• The Association may designate up to seven representatives who will be empowered to negotiate with the District. Additional representatives may be mutually agreed upon (Section 4.4). These representatives will be released from work without loss of pay when negotiations are scheduled during the working hours.
• The Association and the District agree to confer on their respective representatives the necessary power and authority to make proposals, and make counter proposals in the course of negotiations (Section 4.5).
• During negotiations when tentative agreement is reached on an item, it will be reduced to writing and signed by the Parties. Tentative agreements may be withdrawn by either Party at any time until a total agreement is reached. All tentative agreements are subject to ratification by the Association and adoption by the District(Section 4.6).