MEA & Meridian School District begin Interest-Based Bargaining Process

Posted on 19. Feb, 2010 by in Featured, Negotiations

Meet your Meridian Education Association Negotiators!

Sue Colvard, Central Academy; Sheila Saunders, Lowell Scott Middle School; Chris Hiroto, Star Elementary; Carrie Goicoechea, Lake Hazel Middle School; Kim Jones, Seven Oaks Elementary; and Adam Collins, Eagle High School.

This year, the MEA and the Meridian School District will begin using the IBB (Interest Based Bargaining) Process using a 3rd party facilitator trained by the FMCS (Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service).   For more details on the Interest Based Bargaining Process, you may access the document: Key Elements of Interest Based Problem-Solving and Steps in Interest Based Negotiating.

“In these challenging economic times, we will need to take a creative approach to negotiations.  Interest Based Bargaining will afford us the opportunity to do so.  The problems we will be facing will require all parties to think outside the box and tackle the problems in new and innovative ways.  IBB is the process through which we can accomplish that.” – Sue Colvard, Central Academy

“Receiving the grant and embarking on the IBB process offers us an excellent opportunity to work towards a more collaborative bargaining process with the school district.” - Shannon Nicholson, MEA President

The Idaho Education Association, Idaho School Boards Association and the Idaho Administrators Association have partnered with the FMCS to provide the week-long training for IBB facilitators throughout the state.  These facilitators are now ready to train school district and association teams at the local level.  For more information on what a facilitator does, you may access the document, The Role of the Facilitator and Facilitator Responsibilities.

“I am looking forward to working side by side with the district for a contract that is positive for our students, personnel and district.” – Kim Jones, Seven Oaks Elementary

“IBB will require true collaboration from both sides of the negotiation table to be successful.  The IBB approach to collective bargaining will hopefully result in a joint partnership to achieve District and MEA goals and desires.” – Chris T. Hiroto, Star Elementary

The MEA hopes to hold the first initial joint training session sometime in March and then begin bargaining in earnest shortly after that.  This year we will focus on making contract language changes that affect you every day.

“I look forward to the Interest Based Bargaining Process and anticipate that it will enhance both the efficiency and equity of the negotiations process.” – Adam Collins, Eagle High

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