Build your skills: The Idaho Education Association Collective Bargaining Council is offering a free, four-part collective bargaining training series that is open to all members — no experience required.
When and where: Classes will take place on Wednesdays between 6-8 p.m. Mountain Time on Zoom.
What to expect: Your money comes from your contract and your contract comes from bargaining — so each class is designed to help you and your team have maximum impact during your face-to-face meetings.
• Jan. 28: Foundations of Bargaining. Discover key provisions of the Idaho Code that impact collective bargaining, including statutory requirements for negotiations and highlighting critical legal aspects that every team must understand and follow to ensure a compliant and defensible outcome. In addition, you’ll learn the powers and responsibilities bargaining teams assume in representing the bargaining unit.
• Feb. 11: Best Practices for Success. Learn the importance of thorough preparation so your team can bargain with clarity, confidence and a unified voice. The session will cover effective bargaining strategies and table tactics, including strategic messaging, managing the pace of negotiations and responding to management proposals with intention and discipline. A key component of the training will address how you can bridge the gap between your local union and the school board by identifying shared interests, building credible relationships and navigating conflict without compromising core priorities.
• March 11: Finance Basics. Strengthen your understanding of public-school finance and improve your bargaining effectiveness. This session will break down the essentials of salary-based apportionment and discretionary funding, giving you a clear view of how money flows into districts and how it can be used. You'll also gain a practical introduction to salary-schedule theory, including common pitfalls to avoid during negotiations. This workshop is ideal for local leaders, bargaining team members, and anyone seeking a greater understanding of bargaining and public-school funding in Idaho.
• March 25: Deep Dive. It’s time to delve into your own data! IEA’s bargaining experts will pull data for your district so you can start strategizing for your upcoming negotiations. Participants will get the opportunity to review their own district data and learn some advanced skills in bargaining financial analysis. The training concludes with guidance and tools to help you determine whether your team has reached a fair, financially sound settlement.
• April 8: Open Forum. In this session, participants will have an open forum to share updates, ask questions, and learn from other local associations about what they are encountering. The state is predicting a budget deficit, insurance costs may rise significantly, and enrollment has decreased in some districts. In a challenging year, sharing local stories and best practices from around the state is an invaluable asset to all local unions.
Sign up now: Visit the Collective Bargaining Council’s upcoming trainings page for more information on collective bargaining and to sign up for the series.
