Like others have stated, I haven't had any experience in negotiations as a teacher or administrator. I view it as a necessary evil, with no interest in conducting when I was a teacher. Contract terms were never a thought, as I didn't teach for the money or benefits. Now, as an administrator the fiscal responsibilities that are derived from developing a fair contract to hte teachers and the district are more clear. So the process becomes an important focal point. I couldn't help but think back to all of the classes to this point and the importance of a collaborative effort to create any long lasting change and how interest based bargaining can the appropriate framework to build a contract that addresses the needs of all parties.

May 9th Reflection

Like Jamie, I am also from a strong pro-union family. I remember my father being on-strike during traditional negotiations (Caterpillar). It is true the pendulum swings. I remember negotiating when I was a teacher years ago. We called it win-win or expedited.....it was really IBB. It was stated that it was the smoothest contract in my district's history. I was surprised to see the extensive list of preparations for contract negotiations. Reflecting back on my experience I can see that both sides were well prepared. I can see how negotiations can really distract or even stop some of the initiatives districts have going. This ultimately affects students in the end. Successful IBB really depends on amicable relationships between the board and union. I would like to be fully trained on the IBB process.

First Class Reflection

I always find the bargaining process very interesting. After listening to various perspectives, it appears that the success of the collective bargaining is dependent on the quality of the relationship between both parties. I really valued Dr. Closen's example of "Trust". I agree with the emphasis he placed on trust as being an essential element in the bargaining process.

I really appreciated the perspective on interest based bargaining offered by Mr. Drake. The activities provided an excellent opportunity to get an understanding how difficult negotiations can be. His experience in the field and knowledge of "position" and "interest" was a real take-a-way for me from this weekend.

Having served on both sides of the bargaining table, I always find it interesting that the process can begin and end using different methods. Even though negotiations may start with an "interest based bargaining" approach, it always seems to end with "traditional" bargaining. Mr. Drake provided good information on how IBB can be done through the money portion of negotiations.

First Class Reflection May 9

It was very eye opening to see how much work goes into preparing for a contract negotiation. The work up front (ground rules) seems to be the major piece that will help the negotiation process go smoothly. Thinking about who should be there, what should be researched before, and even where to meet are all very important, but at least in my experience in my district, seems to be a piece that was not handled correctly. My guess is that if the ground rules were set in the proper time frame (1 year out) we wouldn't have taken 9 months past the expiration date of the old contract to ratify. I also learned quite a bit about IBB, and I believe that philosophy and training should be one that I learn more about.

May 9th

I found collective bargaining to be interesting. I discovered I would rather find a peaceable solution to fulfill the needs of both sides. I realized through the various exercises that it is more important to meet needs rather than wants. I also realized that negotiating through IBB took a lot of effort to not make it a competition and to focus on what was important. To reach a negotiable, peaceable agreement with the interest and trust of others at stake and without thinking of self over others makes a whole lot a sense....both parties can walk away from the table with a positive relationship leading to a working, productive future.

May 9th reflection

I have had no experience with collective bargaining (thank goodness)so yesterday's class was fairly interesting. Growing up in a pro-union household, I remember the labor/management struggles. I remember the strikes. Dad coming home angry after union meetings. I remember the struggle that the traditional bargaining methods brought. It was the "us" versus "them" mentality. The IBB philosophy just makes so much more sense. I use a form of it almost daily dealing with staff and issues. I have discovered that my staff comes up with some great ideas. I haven't experienced IBB in negotiations, but it just seems to make sense.

First Class Reflection

Although I have been on the union's team during IBB 5 years ago, I really don't feel that I have near the experience I need in order to effectively bargain on the side of the administration yet alone lead them. I am sure that this will be a source of anxiety for me. I appreciate the class discussions and the questions that have been posed to us as it gives us time to work through what the answers are. Although I do not know how comforatable I will be with the role playing I do think that it will be one of the most realistic and relevant to what we will be doing as superintendents.
I am interested in learning about all of the different the various types of bargaining as I can see where IBB would be beneficial to use but I can't imagine that this type of bargaining is good to use in every situation. I did agree with the point made in class that IBB can work in language issues but that when it comes to money and insurance that it tends to go back to traditional bargaining as that is what I experienced first hand.

First Class Reflection

As a principal in our district, we are not directly involved in I.B.B. We meet as an Administrative Team and list our Interests. We also sit down with the union at our Labor Management Meetings and discuss interests. The actual bargaining is between a select few.

I do believe IBB is a great way to negotiate. Once you get past what I consider the fluff from the beginning, you can really bargain well.

I liked the role playing in class. You can see how difficult it is for some people. Along with the role playing, the exercises of Interest vs. Positions was enjoyable. It is a lot harder to come up with Interest based statements than you think.

Reflection on Sunday May 9

This is my first experience with collective bargaining. As a teacher, my district had just begun the interest based method as I was leaving. In my current position, building principals are not involved in the traditional collective bargaining. A small committee representing the BOE and the superintendent are the only people involved administratively. Thanks to my internship I will be participating in our bargaining endeavor and am thankful for the upcoming experience.
I can see where the interest based method would be effective. I think the level of trust and individual personalities really come into play with this task. In my district no matter the result of the bargaining, the process is always viewed as "us against them". I am anxious to experience (as an observer) my districts current process while taking this class. I know I need to work on my "poker face"!!

May 9th Reflection

Yesterday, during class, we learned the difference between Interest Based Bargaining and Traditional Bargaining. At Neponset, I have sat in on one contract negotiation. I would have to say that we have a more traditional bargaining system. Our staff comes to the table with their proposal, which usually deals with salary, retirement, and insurance. The Superintendent and a couple of board members read the proposal and makes a counter. This goes on for a few rounds, and the two sides usually meet in the middle. Both sides usually feel pretty good with the decision and the process takes a couple of hours. I believe that this is made possible because both sides know and trust each other. Neither feels that the other is out to get the other side. However, I was also part of a strike as a second year teacher. What was missing in that case was trust. There was hostility between the board and the teachers. If it had not been for 9/11, I am not sure how long the teachers would have been out of school. Having seen both sides, my "Ah Ha" moment was the importance of building and maintaining relationships. I thought your routine that you went through each day as a superintendent was very interesting and important to the climate of your district. Also, after negotiating with Tammy, I am predicting a strike within 3 years of her first superintendency!

First Class

Today I learned differences of Interest Based Bargaining and Traditional Bargaining for collective bargaining. The school I currently work at is union free and negotiations are compared to "working things out at the dinner table"; contrary to the conception, negotiations best resembles Traditional Bargaining. There is not much dialogue in understanding the interests of each side. The teachers present a proposal with few requests and the board/superintendent are quick to accept a few changes and then state what financial concessions can be made. The offer is brought back to the whole and voted on for acceptance. Interest Based Bargaining would be beneficial to allow for, if nothing else, hearing what concerns each side has. Growth of the organization and continued health can be accomplished through this approach. Both sides are forced to work together, build relationships, and develop trust. All of these skills can be applied to other areas of a school organization. A "ah ah" moment was seeing how bargaining changes when one or both parties have little to lose in a relationship. When one or both sides are disconnected, it is easy to try and take advangage in the bargaining.

reflection May 9th

I was a little tired yesterday but I learned about interest based bargaining. It was of value to me because I had heard of it being used to do some of the language changes during our last contract negotiations. I appreciate this approach for its simplistic common sense approach at solving often times complex and intense issues. Trust certainly was an operative word for the day. The underlying theme of this type of bargaining as it appeared to me was that each side must have established a level of trust and understanding prior to negotiations. I can certainly see and have first hand knowledge of the fact that this type of bargaining can be successful. I wonder at how successful it would be regarding the big three; wages, insurance, and retirement in our district. I would say that this would not work well in our district. We are not currently in negotiations and will not be anytime soon due to the fact that we are in the second year of a five year contract. With my interniship I hope to visit schools that are in this process and hopefully learn more concerning not only interest based bargaining but traditional collective bargaining.