MSEA Bargaining

Bargaining 101

As a certificated employee of the Matanuska Susitna Borough School District, the terms and conditions of your employment are collectively bargained between the District and the Mat-Su Education Association. Teams from both sides are appointed and together we negotiate a broad swath of rights and benefits afforded to all employees who fall under our designated bargaining unit. Typically, MSEA and the District negotiate contracts that span three years in order to create stability and predictability for salary schedules, healthcare coverage, and workplace rights.

The right to collectively bargain the terms of our employment is constitutionally protected under the First Amendment which guarantees the freedom of speech, assembly, and petition. Bargaining remains the most powerful and direct benefit of union membership. While all employees in a bargaining unit enjoy the benefits and protections of a contract, only members may vote to ratify a contract or serve on an MSEA bargaining team.

MSEA’s Next Bargain

As per our negotiated agreement, Article I section 3 explains the procedure for negotiations:

Negotiations

1. The Matanuska-Susitna School Board shall negotiate with teachers in good faith on matters pertaining to their employment and the fulfillment of their professional duties.
2. Procedure for Negotiations:
   1. A written request for meetings shall be submitted by the MSEA to the Superintendent, as the Board‘s representative, or by the Superintendent to the President of MSEA with all items for negotiations presented no earlier than January 1 st and no later than January 15th during the school year in which the agreement is scheduled to expire.
   2. A written response shall be made and a mutually satisfactory time for the first meeting shall be agreed upon within ten (10) working days after receipt of the request.
   3. The first meeting shall be held within fifteen (15) working days after the receipt of the request, unless otherwise mutually agreed.
   4. Consultants may be used if deemed necessary by either party. Any expense for consultant services shall be borne by the party requesting the service.
   5. During the period of negotiations, interim reports of progress may be made public by either negotiating party.
   6. Meeting dates, times, conditions, and places shall be determined by mutual agreement.
   7. When a consensus is reached, a written tentative agreement shall be jointly prepared and presented separately to each party by each party’s negotiating team with their recommendation for approval of the tentative agreement.
   8. Meetings shall be open to the public if requested by either party.
3. Advisory arbitration will be conducted in accordance with Title 23 P.E.R.A.