GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Leaders of the Grand Rapids Education Association teachers union are asking to meet with the board of education as teachers enter their second year without a contract, according to the Grand Rapids Press.
Union President Paul Helder wants to meet with the board to iron out any fundamental misunderstandings. Helder said he believes the two parties have different budget information, The Press reported.
"If we can't agree on the foundation of what we're talking about, I don't know how we can settle this peacefully — and we want to settle this peacefully," Helder told The Press.
Superintendent Bernard Taylor rejects the idea and demands that the union continue bargaining with administrators.
"Anything short of allowing your bargaining team to continue doing what it is doing will show a lack of confidence in your administration and its negotiating team," Taylor told board members at a recent meeting, according to The Press.
SOURCE:
The Grand Rapids Press, "GRPS teachers union leaders want face-to-face meeting with board," Sept. 2, 2008
FURTHER READING:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "A Collective Bargaining Primer," Feb. 28, 2007
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