Five comparative data traps repeatedly come up during school negotiation sessions: (1) average salary comparisons; (2) vague salary comparisons; (3) low master's guide; (4) considering salary only; and (5) comparing benefits. Provides examples and outlines a defense against these data traps. (MLF)

This reference document supports the leadership of locals and state federations in collective bargaining, in designing salary comparisons, and in developing policy. Data are drawn from several sources to more fully describe the American Federation of Teachers' (AFT) largest locals and to describe the nation's largest school districts. Section 1…

Replies to James G. Ward's objections to the author's recent "Journal of Education Finance" article, which concluded that comprehensive collective bargaining had no significant effect on teachers' salaries or fringe benefits in Wisconsin school districts during 1979-80. Calls for alternative strategies to improve teachers' economic…

The process and results of establishing collective bargaining for Rutgers University's (New Jersey) part-time faculty, largely women, are discussed. Negotiations for achievement of parity with full-time faculty through pro rata benefits and salaries, the most contested issue, are described briefly, focusing on administration resistance. (MSE)

Randall Eberts explores the role of teachers unions in public education. He focuses particularly on how collective bargaining agreements shape the delivery of educational services, how unions affect both student achievement and the cost of providing quality education, and how they support educational reform efforts. Eberts's synthesis of the…

Reviews the history of the two teachers' unions, presenting the differences and rivalry between the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers. Details their differing responses to the current "excellence" movement. (MD)

This report outlines the process involved in establishing a faculty union at the English Language Institute at the American University in Washington, D.C. The English Language Institute Faculty Association (ELIFA) is one of the few units to be certified at a private university since the 1980 Yeshiva Supreme Court decision. During the beginning…

Evaluates the 1975 California administrator group's decision to have principals form a leadership team instead of forming collective bargaining units. Although a 1984 survey of 100 principals found that most support the decision, it also revealed that 45 percent are dissatisfied with the concept. (MD)

After describing the concept of comparable worth and reviewing arguments for and against the idea, the author proposes seven cautions for district administrators to heed when faced with the need to respond to the comparable worth issue and suggests a seven-step plan for taking action to improve pay equity. (PGD)

Reviews the findings of "A Nation at Risk" and evaluates how reform areas will affect collective bargaining. Presents ways to carry out educational reform and preserve collective bargaining. (MD)

Reviews the 1984 annual conference of the American Federal of Teachers (AFT). Some issues members discussed are teacher evaluations (in relation to merit pay), teacher training, and education reform. Includes an interview with the AFT president. (MD)

Reviews the latest contract and salary changes in collective agreements in Canadian libraries, using the provinces of British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Ontario as a sample population. The issues likely to be raised at the negotiating table in 1988 are predicted. (5 references) (Author/CLB)

Implications of academic collective bargaining and unionization in Australian higher education are examined in the context of different models of bargaining advocated by the national government and federal opposition. Problems foreseen include diminution of employment conditions, morale, staff quality, and instructional quality as well as…

The debate emerging over collective bargaining in the public sector of Australia's economy, and in particular the effects on higher education, are discussed. National policy and productivity issues are considered. Resistance to academic collective bargaining, especially in the collegial context of higher education, is foreseen. (MSE)

Multi-year employee contracts can substantially reduce the time and energy that goes into negotiations. In this transcript, panelists from the Strongsville (Ohio) city schools discuss their recent 5-year settlement with their non-teaching (classified) employees. Each panelist is introduced, and then the first, James Marietta, provides an overview…