In a typical New Jersey school district, about 75 percent of the operating budget is devoted to employee compensation, and the majority of that expense goes to school employees represented by unions that the school board must negotiate with. Collective bargaining affects districts fiscally and impacts districts’  ability to provide the best possible educational programs.

To help ensure that board members are prepared to negotiate with experienced and well-trained union teams, NJSBA is offering a program, “Bargaining at the Table,” on two dates, Saturday, Oct. 10, and Saturday, Jan. 23. Both programs run from 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. (registration begins at 8:30 a.m).

Both conferences will be held at the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Complex, 12 Centre Drive, Monroe.

This program will teach members what happens at the bargaining table; what to expect and how to respond. Topics include:

  • the mechanics of bargaining (ground rules, timing, procedures);
  • analyzing union demands;
  • using comparative data;
  • impasse procedures; and
  • at-the-table techniques.

Bargaining at the Table offers 2 Board Member Academy Credits. Application for 6.8 Continuing Legal Education Credits for New Jersey lawyers is pending before the New Jersey Supreme Court.

Registration Information Registration for the programs may be done online using the linked program dates above, but only by the school business administrator. Business administrators wishing to register officials from their districts should have a scanned purchase order ready to attach to the registration.

Cost The registration fee for members is $199 for each program and the fee for non-members is $398. The fee includes a continental breakfast, lunch and program materials.

For questions regarding these programs, please email Labor Relations.