This fall, approximately 200 school boards will prepare to enter negotiations with their teachers’ associations. In addition, many districts will also be bargaining with their support staff and their administrators and supervisors associations.

To help boards prepare for their negotiations responsibilities, NJSBA is offering three bargaining programs this fall.

Preparing for Bargaining: Sept. 9 will help boards understand the role of the bargaining team, how to cost out the contract, how to develop board proposals, and the legal requirements that govern the negotiations process.

Intermediate Bargaining: Sept. 30 will address union proposals, counter-proposals and tradeoffs, effective communications techniques, and impasse procedures.

Advanced Bargaining: Nov. 18 and19 will give participants an opportunity to engage in face-to-face bargaining and to hone their negotiations skills in a risk-free environment.

In addition, the labor relations Web page provides information on current topics, including health insurance information. It also contains current negotiations data and links to two subscriber services: Index and Analyses of PERC Decisions and The Negotiations Advisor Online. These labor relations resources can be valuable tools for districts that are preparing for negotiations.

The labor relations staff members also are available to answer questions and provide advice and assistance to board members, administrators and attorneys on such diverse topics as negotiations, grievances, mediation, fact-finding, job actions, salary guides and more.

Visit NJSBA’s Labor Relations Department for more information about its programs and services, or call (888) 886-5722, ext. 5219.