Contract negotiation process
Representatives from the university and the union ('bargaining teams') meet to negotiate the terms of an agreement. Both sides discuss contract-related issues during these negotiations and present proposals and counterproposals. State law requires that both sides engage in good-faith negotiations to try to resolve any differences and work to reach an agreement in a timely manner.
How are contracts negotiated?
STEP 1
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Teams from both parties schedule a series of meetings to negotiate the contract, called bargaining.
STEP 2
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Both sides present proposals about a contract topic, such as wages.
STEP 3
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Each side reviews the proposals and, in most cases, presents counterproposals.
STEP 4
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The teams work together to reach tentative agreements on each article (as many as 50 per contract).
STEP 5
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If the teams cannot reach an agreement, they may declare an impasse, which means that they cannot reach an agreement or resolve their disputes through further bargaining.
STEP 6
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Once an impasse is declared, the state Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) assigns a mediator and mediation is held.
STEP 7
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If mediation is not productive, it can be canceled by PERB and proceeds to fact-finding.
STEP 8
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Fact-finding requires a representative from each party, plus a neutral third party, who reviews progress made and determines if a settlement can be reached.
STEP 9
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If, after fact-finding, an agreement still has not been reached, the parties can exercise their rights under the law, which includes striking.