Common use of Interest-Based Bargaining Clause in Contracts

Interest-Based Bargaining. 1. Upon request of either party for a meeting to open negotiations, a mutually accepted initial meeting date will be set no later than 150 calendar days before contract expiration. The Association will be represented by the Association President and Negotiations Chairperson, the Board of Education by the Superintendent and their designee. 2. If both parties mutually agree to pursue interest based bargaining, guidelines for the bargaining process will be established at the initial meeting. These guidelines must include the makeup of the negotiation teams, the role of consultants in the process, the submission and review of issues, the timeline to be followed, and a means by which to determine if and when impasse has been reached. Each party will determine its own team’s representatives but will not select members of the other party involved in the procedure. 3. If tentative agreement cannot be reached within forty-five (45) days of the second negotiation meeting or a date mutually agreed upon, a letter of intent to begin conventional bargaining will be sent to the State Employment Relations Board (SERB). Negotiation procedures as outlined in Article 2, Section 2, Article O of this contract will govern.