The reason teachers want collective bargaining is far simpler than has heretofore been recognized by scholars. In de jure collective bargaining, agreements arrived at in the bargaining process are legal and binding on both parties. In de facto negotiation, agreements could be struck between the teachers and the board of education, but, when subjected to political or budgetary pressures, the board could abrogate the agreement without the teachers having any legal recourse. (Author/IRT)