In other words, the contemporary environment and push towards accontability and increased test scores has ensured that labor-management relations must also imrove. While unions must perform the function they were engendered -- to promote the best interests of the teachers whom they represent. Therein, though, lies a conundrum -- with greater transparency between administrators and teachers is essential in modern times, and both sides need a broader social and political process if anything is going to be done, the simple fact remains -- the reason for the school system is the education of our future leaders. Fairness must exist on all ends -- and often times it does seem like the teacher contingent is asked to give up more than the administrative side.

Collective bargaining's power, then, it to give teachers greater authority to influence their work conditions and their own efficacy as teachers. This is more the issue of reform vs. hard nosed industrial bargaining in which the perception is so adversarial that often times very little gets done, and if a strike is ordered, consumers suffer -- if teachers get to the point in which a strike is ordered, the community and children suffer; something neither side wants.