Collective bargaining situations in recent news sources

Collective Bargaining

State the nature of the collective bargaining dispute.

The nature of the dispute occurred in the State of Oregon. What is happening is the state has been aggressively cutting funds for education. This is because they are seeing declining tax receipts (which is forcing legislators to make drastic changes). To achieve these objectives, they have given school districts greater amounts of authority in determining where these reductions will take place. However, the teachers union is arguing that the school districts are using this as an excuse to reduce teacher pay and restrict their rights. The combination of these factors has outraged educators to the point that they have begun to strike several school districts (most notably: Multnomah County, Gresham-Barlow and Parkrose). (Mayer, 2012)

What are the underlying causes of the dispute?

The causes of this dispute are based upon the tremendous cuts that are required from educators every single year. Then, there are the school districts that are single-handedly changing the labor agreements with the union. They claim that these kinds of alterations are necessary because the district is facing such extreme financial challenges. This has angered many educators, who believe that these cuts are designed to transform the current policies that are in place. In the future, this will mean lower salaries, benefits and less protection inside the work environment. (Mayer, 2012)

What economic or ethical pressures has each side attempted to use to prevail in the dispute?

The teachers union is using their previous labor agreements as an indication that school districts need to honor their commitment to educators. At the same time, they believe that administrators are willing to engage in activities that will limit their rights. According union officials, this is a part of a long standing policy of reducing their influence. While the school district, is using the current economic situation and the reduction in funding as an excuse to cut teacher salaries and benefits. (Mayer, 2012)

If there is any evidence of any illegal or unethical conduct on either side, describe it in detail.

The unethical conduct is occurring, in 25 out of 146 school districts where there are no labor agreements in place. This is increasing the overall amounts of animosity between teachers and administrators. As educators, are required to have more instruction time with students and lower amounts of preparation. This means that teachers will have to spend more time working for less money. This is problematic, as these tactics are knowingly ignoring previous labor agreements and the relevance of the union in the process. (Mayer, 2012)

What, if any, role was played by third parties in resolving this bargaining dispute? What was the identity of the third party?

Third parties have played no role in resolving the dispute. Instead, the different school districts will go on strike (in an attempt to coordinate). This occurred within last week, which limits the ability of mediators to become involved (as the dispute is just beginning). (Mayer, 2012)