What is Collective Bargaining?

 

Short Answer: Collective bargaining is a tool to give ACPS employees a voice at the negotiating table.

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Long Answer: Collective bargaining is a process where employees, via an elected or appointed negotiation group, negotiate with management for better conditions which include, but are not limited to important issues like: salaries, benefits, and working conditions (e.g. mandatory pay for subbing a colleagues class, protected planning times,  and more!) 

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Why is Collective Bargaining Important?

 

Short Answer: Collective bargaining is important because it creates a balanced relationship between employers and employees. 

 

Long Answer: Collective bargaining empowers groups to advocate for the community of employees who support our students’ education through negotiation. In the past, without collective bargaining, individuals had to accept contracts as given, find employment outside of ACPS, or attempt to negotiate alone. With collective bargaining, you are represented by a team of staff members who negotiate for better pay and working conditions on your behalf. Through collective bargaining, the union can ensure fair pay, job security, and suitable working conditions.

 

Why does ACPS need Collective Bargaining? 

 

Short Answer: ACPS needs collective bargaining because there is an unbalanced relationship between employers and employees. 

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Long Answer: Leadership in ACPS needs to develop a collaborative relationship with employees and community stakeholders. There has been a deterioration of trust between management and the employees/community. A great way to start earning that trust back is to give staff members an equal seat at the bargaining  table. 

Bargaining allows employees to advocate for their needs and their students' needs in the most effective way. According to the Economic Policy Institute, workplaces with collective bargaining have higher salaries, better benefits, and higher rates of worker retention. These changes will ultimately lead to better working conditions and student performance, making ACPS the best school district it can be!

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How do we achieve Collective Bargaining? 

 

Short Answer: We can achieve collective bargaining by going through a 3-step process and having each other’s backs! 

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Long Answer: In order for us to achieve collective bargaining we needed to undergo a 3-step process which is detailed below: 

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• Phase 1 (Completed): Union and School Board collaborate to draft a collective bargaining resolution.

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ACPS School Board's collective bargaining committee convened and drafted a collective bargaining resolution which needed numerous fixes. The School Board's collective bargaining committee met during numerous work sessions, including one where the EAA presented their own collective bargaining resolution, and revised the draft for approval during the March 21, 2024 School Board Meeting.  

 

• Phase 2 (Completed): Pass the Collective Bargaining Resolution

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On March 21, 2024 ACPS took the historic step in granting its employees the right to collective bargaining by voting to approve its collective bargaining resolution. Highlights of the document includes:

1. Collective bargaining rights for licensed staff and education support staff (ESPs).

2. An initial collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with 6 negotiation topics. This limitation is lifted after the initial CBA, meaning ACPS employees can negotiate over the largest number of topics possible. 

3. A simple majority election for ACPS Employees to elect their exclusive bargaining agent.

4. Amending language in the document which enabled management to ignore a negotiated CBA through loopholes and technicalities. 

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Overall, ACPS employees got a document we can work with, and for that we are thankful! 

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• Phase 3 (Completed): Union Election and Certification

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Now that the collective bargaining resolution has passed the clock starts for ACPS employees to elect their exclusive bargaining agent. In order to get on the ballot a bargaining agent, for example EAA, needs to gather 30% of bargaining unit employees. Once that threshold has been met a neutral party will come in and assist the union and management in conducting the exclusive bargaining agent election. This election will be a simple majority election. Once the exclusive bargaining agent is elected then negotiations can begin! 

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Now that we have completed this 3-step process we are now gathering information from ACPS staff members on what priorities they have for bargaining. Once the EAA knows what we staff members want we will be able to fight for those things at the negotiating table.   

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What are ACPS' collective bargaining units?

 

Short Answer: Licensed Staff and Education Support Personnel (ESPs) are currrently bargaining units. Administrative Employees will become their own bargaining unit later. 

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Long Answer: The ACPS School Board only gave Licensed Staff and ESPs the right to collective bargaining initially. This was done to help keep the first set of negotiations manageable. However, Administrative Employees will be given the right to collective bargaining in three (3) years.  At which point they will be able to negotiate their own collective bargaining contracts with ACPS. If you are interested in getting more involved in the collective bargaining process visit our “Get Involved” page now!