Degree Name

Education Specialist (EdS)

Semester of Degree Completion

1987

Thesis Director

Larry Janes

Abstract

This study examined the current status of collective bargaining between boards of education and classified educational employees in eighteen selected Illinois public schools. The collective bargaining agreements from the respondent school districts were examined and data were researched and collected concerning items currently impacting the negotiations process. The results of the study indentified information with regard to the following areas of the collective bargaining agreements: 1. Union affiliation of the employee bargaining units. 2. Classification of the employees covered by the collective bargaining agreements. 3. The duration of the contracts currently in force. 4. Fair share as an issue currently being bargained into collective bargaining agreements. 5. Identifies those respondent school districts not including a savings clause within their current contract. 6. Progression of the formal grievance procedures currently in affect in the contracts of the respondent school districts.

On the basis of research and data derived from the study of the collective bargaining agreements with classified educational employees the following conclusions appear warranted: 1. Boards of education are likely to become involved in collective bargaining with an increased number of classified educational employee groups. 2. Collective bargaining with classified educational employees is likely to be just as great an issue as has been teacher negotiations. 3. Boards of education need to consider the first collective bargaining agreement with a unit of employees as the most important document as it constitutes the starting point for all future negotiations. 4. With increased numbers of classified educational employees becoming involved in collective bargaining, there is likely to be movement toward a consolidation of bargaining efforts by the units involved. 5. Unions representing classified educational employees are likely to increase emphasis on fair share as a bargaining issue. 6. Boards of education need to examine the formal grievance procedure to insure that the process currently in force does not erode administrative effectiveness and thus strengthen union efforts. 7. Boards of education, by necessity, need to examine the advantages and disadvantages of bargaining with fewer units through a consolidation of efforts by employee. 8. It is likely that both boards of education and classified employee unions will continue to seek multiyear negotiated settlements. 9. It appears that classified employee bargaining units view personal leave and sick leave with major concern as part of the negotiated package.

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