A recent survey of 41 different state boards of education revealed that officials from 28 states indicate that they are experiencing teacher shortages. The shortages in some states are significant. While the teacher shortage in many states is tied to different factors, one frequently cited reason for leaving the teaching profession is low pay.…

This article examines the legal and political significance of teacher unionization in rural and suburban school districts between 1960 and 1975. While most historians focus on the growth of unions in urban areas, strikes in outlying districts played a determinative role in the development of public sector labor law, particularly in the arbitration…

This article describes when teachers in Detroit, Michigan and Gary, Indiana went on strike in September 2006, which have resulted in the closure or relocation of 35 schools to other campuses since the end of the 2004-05 school year. The 2006-07 school year has brought with it a fresh wave of labor unrest, as teachers in districts large and small…

The history of events leading to the merger of the Flint, Michigan AFT and NEA units Plus some observations on merger steps being taken elsewhere. (MF)

Problems have arisen with the Michigan Public Employment Relations Act, which allows collective bargaining for public employees, because the act does not extend the right to strike and has no provision for a final resolution of a bargaining impasse in the event that voluntary settlement is not achieved. Neither voluntary negotiation nor…

To analyze collective negotiations, the author studied the scope, issues, and outcomes of agreements in effect (1967-68) in ten junior colleges in Illinois and Michigan. The colleges were selected for having (1) signed agreement with a local representative faculty organization, (2) experienced an actual or threatened work stoppage, (3) agreed to…

"Education Matters" is the monthly newsletter of the Association of American Educators (AAE), an organization dedicated to advancing the American teaching profession through personal growth, professional development, teacher advocacy and protection. This issue of the newsletter includes: (1) Helping New Teachers Succeed: Louisiana…

BY THE END OF 1966, OVER 1500 WRITTEN AGREEMENTS HAD BEEN REACHED IN THE UNITED STATES PROVIDING FOR DECISION-MAKING BY TEACHERS THROUGH PROFESSIONAL NEGOTIATION. PRIMARY ISSUES INCLUDED THE IMPORTANCE OF STATE LEGISLATION, THE ROLE OF THE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT IN THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS, THE EXCLUSIVE NEGOTIATION RIGHTS BY ONE PROFESSIONAL…

In the face of a high degree of legislative activity concerning public sector labor relations in the Midwest, this guide was prepared to familiarize practitioners with such legislation enacted as of May 1, 1975, in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. This legislation concerns state employees, fire fighters, municipal…

The purpose of this booklet is to place in perspective the role of the Michigan State Board of Education, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the Michigan Department of Education in collective bargaining in education. Part 1 discusses the role of the State Board of Education in developing policy with respect to teacher-school board…

A sample of Michigan cities is the basis for an evaluation of the economic benefits of collective bargaining to teachers and the economic impact of bargaining upon the school districts that employ and negotiate with them. The study's conclusions include: (1) Bargaining produced pay increases averaging 10 to 20 percent higher than teachers would…

A STUDY OF 10 SCHOOL DISTRICTS TESTED THE HYPOTHESIS THAT CLASHES BETWEEN SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND TEACHERS' UNIONS ARE DUE LARGELY TO THE CONFLICTING PERCEPTIONS OF THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR'S LEADERSHIP BEHAVIOR AS DESCRIBED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR HIMSELF, BY THE SCHOOL BOARD, AND BY MEMBERS OF THE TEACHERS' UNION. ACCORDING TO THE LEADER BEHAVIOR…

Organizational hostility plagued the entire 1972-1978 Experimental Schools (ES) program in Constantine, Michigan, and ultimately resulted in its failure. Constantine had a history of conflict between those residents advocating local control and those, mainly newcomers, advocating external intrusions into the community. When the ES program began,…