This program is designed for the member negotiator with no or very limited bargaining experience.  The focus of this module is on "the basics" of the negotiations process from beginning to end.  NEA's Bargaining Behavior Module I program is the basis for the course of study used in this track. 

Sessions will include the following:

• Basics — will introduce the participants to the fundamentals of bargaining: what it is, who does it, as well as a review of significant events in labor history, including the 1970 PSEA march on Harrisburg.
• The Law — will acquaint participants with the requirements and timelines of the Public Employee Relations Act (Act 195) and Article XI-A of the School Code (Act 88) as well as Act 1, the scope of bargaining and bargaining of non-mandatory issues.
• Terminology — will familiarize the participants with the lexicon of negotiations.
• Initial Preparation for Bargaining — will provide: an overview of the typical bargaining process including the importance of data collection, a review of the essential elements of the bargaining committee/team make-up, the importance of member involvement and procedural justice, compensation awareness, the development and analysis of proposals and contract language, and the first study of bargaining strategy.
• Developing Bargaining Skills — will introduce participants to the concepts of team building, reaching decisions through consensus, conflict resolution, verbal and non-verbal communication, and dealing with dysfunctional behavior.
• Alternative Styles of Bargaining — will review expedited bargaining, early-bird negotiations, collaborative negotiations, etc.
• Impasse Procedures — will provide basic information on mediation, fact finding, and arbitration as ways to resolve impasse in bargaining.
• Selling the Tentative Agreement to the Membership — will suggest methods for assuring ratification by the general membership.
• The course will also include sessions on sound salary schedule practices and healthcare issues in bargaining.

What’s new?

Can it be bargained?

What language should be used when bargaining it? 

This class will discuss how and what has emerged in the past year and suggest language for bargaining. 

Additionally, the course always looks at the bargaining mainstays:

• Bargaining a healthy salary schedule
• The ins-and-outs of healthcare
• Evaluations
• And more