Understanding the Teacher Union Contract: A Citizen's Handbook

Understanding the Teacher Union Contract: A Citizen's Handbook

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Preface

I. Introduction

1. Strategic and Tactical Considerations
2. The Organization of This Handbook
3. The Examples of Contract Language
4. Limitations of This Handbook
5. Unions of Support Personnel
6. Legislative Dimensions
7. Understanding the Union Role
8. Unfair Labor Practices
9. Summary: The Board's Response

II. School Board/Union Relations

1. Preamble
2. Recognition of the Union
3. Exclusivity
4. Management Rights
5. No-Strike Clause
6. Consultation Rights
7. Joint Committees
8. Contract Printing and Distribution
9. Statutory Benefits
10. Definitions

III. Organizational security

1. Payroll Deduction of Dues
2. Agency Fees
3. PAC Contributions
4. Mailing Lists
5. Hold Harmless Clause
6. Maintenance of Membership
7. Right to Resign

IV. Union rights

1. Union Access to and Use of District Buildings
2. Union Use of the District Mail System
3. Electronic-Mail Service
4. Bulletin Boards
5. Union Rights at Faculty Meetings
6. Union Rights at School Board Meetings
7. Union Identification
8. Teacher Orientation
9. School Visits by Union Representatives
10. Contracting Out

V. Released-Time Subsidies

1. Released Time for Bargaining
2. Released Time for Grievance Processing
3. Released Time for Union Business
4. Released Time for Union Officers

VI. Union Rights in Negotiations

1. Negotiating Procedures
2. Information Issues
3. Matters Not Covered
4. Severability
5. Duration and Expiration Date
6. Maintenance of Benefits, Past Practices
7. Zipper Clause

VII. Representation issues

1. Parental Complaints
2. Teacher Evaluation
3. Teacher Files
4. Disciplinary Hearings

VIII. Grievance procedures

1. Definition of Grievance
2. Who Can File a Grievance?
3. Group Grievances
4. Purpose of Grievance Procedure
5. Time Limits
6. Required Information
7. Levels of Appeal
8. Reprisals
9.Right to Representation
10. Separate Grievance File
11. Meetings and Hearings
12. Costs
13. Additional Differences

IX. Arbitration of grievances

X. Contemporary Union Initiatives

1. The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
2. Peer Review

XI. Beyond Collective Bargaining

Appendices

A. A Glossary of Collective Bargaining Terms
B. References

Notes

Index

About the Author