Bargaining July 20

We were able to review the first proposal from management to begin today's work. Managements proposal had merit as we looked at it from an administrative stand point. From a teacher's stand point, I found that it was hard to agree to change proposed items. Thoughts of how teachers worked to have these items and the time and battles that it may have took came up. It was hard to give up items knowing that these items may never be given back--although many were obscene from an administrative point of view. These items included five days of leave per death of immediate family, four personal/professional days, and place on salary scale staying while away for other duties. These were easier items to agree to work down. The activity has been educational in the process and in learning how you have to work to keep emotions out. Both sides are working to reach a fair agreement. Hearing from the school attorney was useful in that there were many points presented that if used will be beneficial in future negotiation sessions. Particularly, information regarding duty to bargain is important.