Negotiations Continue...

We went into Saturday with about 4 things left on each of our original list of 10 items. The top two (salary and insurance) were really a catalyst for getting the contract completed. It's amazing how settling those two items got the ball rolling and the contract completed. There were times I just wanted to cave and give them things, because it was easier than reexplaining our position for the 4th or 5th time. It is important to be comparing the same things in order for each side to understand where the other one is coming from. The teacher team was focused on overall percentage (10% over 3 years), and the board was focused on overall percentage including steps. What the teacher team can sell to the union and what the Board team can sell to the Board are two different things. It's a dance that doesn't end. Once each team realized we could come to agreement things went smoothly. Side bars in my opinion are a necessary evil. It allows each side to get some agreement on their items without losing face. It also cuts the entire team out of the decision making process. There has to be a lot of trust given to your speaker. It was a worthwhile experience, but having been through negotiations I know it would be much longer and can get much uglier.