Teacher Contract Negotiations

As an external observer of the contract negotiations in New Jersey, it is apparent that certain negotiation criteria were not exhibited. The jailing of any public employee is inconceivable in a democracy. After review of the material and events that occurred, I have made some suggestions regarding the preparations, discussion, proposals, and closing of their contract dispute. This is an interesting case. My own school system just underwent the exact same dispute. The school committee wanted to raise our health insurance contribution from 20% to 25%. The union did not agree with this new measure in our contract. The union threatened to strike. In fact, we picketed every day for two weeks prior to school and held three largely attended rallies. In the end, the union won. The school department withdrew the health insurance issue from the table and no teachers were jailed. Perhaps, Massachusetts learned something from New Jersey.