NJSBA Offers Training for Districts Entering Negotiations

Approximately 200 school boards will prepare to enter negotiations with their teachers' union this school year. In the current atmosphere of unprecedented public interest and changes, coupled with the historic financial constraints, it is more important than ever that boards of education prepare for this upcoming round of negotiations.

To help boards prepare, NJSBA is offering a series of programs, starting with two opportunities to attend a Contracts Negotiations Primer on August 14 and August 16.

Patrick Duncan and Robert Greitz, NJSBA's labor relations negotiators/consultants, will lead an open dialogue on negotiations preparation, trends and the impact of recent changes in state law.

This roundtable event will address how to prepare for bargaining, regional settlement trends, and strategies to effectively deal with local associations. The programs will provide attendees with individualized advice and practical solutions.

The August 14 program is at the Atlantic Cape May County College in Cape May Court House and the August 16 program is at the Seabrook Fire Hall in Bridgeton. Both programs run from 7 – 9 p.m. with registration beginning at 6:30 p.m. Board members may register themselves online. For more information, email Marcia Lavigne, county activities coordinator, at mlavigne@njsba.org.

Preparing for Bargaining on Saturday, Sept. 8 will help boards understand the role of the bargaining team; learn how to cost out the contract; develop the skills to create board proposals; and understand the legal requirements that govern the negotiations process – including the impact of the statutorily required health insurance contributions.

Preparing for Bargaining offers 2 Board Member Academy Credits. Application for 6.4 Continuing Legal Education Credits for New Jersey lawyers is pending.

Intermediate Bargaining on Saturday, Sept. 22 will address the use of data in negotiations, the union's proposals and what is being sought; how to prepare counter proposals and tradeoffs; effective communications technique; and impasse procedures, including the possible effects stemming from changes to the interest arbitration system.

Intermediate Bargaining offers 2 Board Member Academy Credits. Application for 6.7 Continuing Legal Education Credits for New Jersey lawyers is pending.

Both programs will be held at the New Jersey Principals & Supervisors Association headquarters in Monroe Township. Registration for both programs may be done online, but only by the school business administrator.

Additional Resources In addition, the Labor Relations web page provides information on current topics, including recent changes to the health benefits law and major case law development. It also contains current negotiations data and links to two subscriber services, the Index and Analyses of PERC Decisions and The Negotiations Advisor Online.