1. Educate Board Members to Reduce Bargaining Tensions
Florida Educational Negotiators
February 24, 2017
Prepared by Leonard J. Dietzen, III © 2017 Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell, P.A.

2. Traditional Bargaining
Governmental agency hires negotiator or handles in house
Bargaining team assembles
Negotiator and team go to work
All items possible are negotiated until agreement is reached or impasse declared
Then team advises Board members about impasse items
© 2017 Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell, P.A.

3. Steps Before Negotiation Begins
Build a skilled team with expertise
Meet several times with team to establish priorities
Cost out all proposals prior to negotiations
© 2017 Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell, P.A.

4. Impasse Procedures
Hold Executive Session before first bargaining meeting.
Identify do or die issues.
Prepare for battle by preparing for hearing.
© 2017 Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell, P.A.

5. A Bargaining Scenario Presentation of Proposal Discussion
Rejected Caucus Accepted
Counter Proposal Tentative Agreement
Rejected Impasse Parties date & sign
© 2017 Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell, P.A.

6. Executive Sessions No notice required
Permitted until special master’s recommended settlement is rejected or until parties mutually agree in writing to waive the special master procedure.
After that time, the Board becomes a neutral body for the purposes of the impasse process.
© 2017 Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell, P.A.

7. Disclaimer
The information provided during this presentation is not intended for legal advice.  The presentation, and any handouts which may accompany it, provide general information on this topic and answers to common questions about this issue.  Please consult an attorney to assure that this information, and your interpretation of it, is appropriate to your particular situation. 
© 2017 Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell, P.A.

8. Thank you! Leonard J. Dietzen, III, Esquire
Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell, P.A.
P.O. Box 10507
Tallahassee, FL
(850)
© 2017 Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell, P.A.