Northwest Regional Education Service District
Home MenuLabor Negotiations Overview
Collective bargaining is a legally defined process for administration and unions to discuss employment related topics, including wages, benefits and working conditions. This page is designed to help employees, our component school districts and the general public understand the bargaining process, the financial context behind negotiations, and where to find the latest updates for each bargaining unit.
Our goal is to provide timely, transparent information while supporting respectful, productive negotiations.
The Bargaining Process
Select a step to learn more about that stage of the bargaining process.
Both bargaining teams identify priorities and develop proposals before negotiations begin. Proposals may address wages, benefits, working conditions, or other parts of the collective bargaining agreement.
The bargaining teams exchange proposals and begin reviewing one another's ideas. This helps both parties understand the issues that will be discussed during negotiations.
The bargaining teams meet over multiple sessions to discuss proposals, ask questions, evaluate impacts, and explore possible solutions. As discussions continue, proposals may be revised, combined, or withdrawn.
As negotiations progress, the parties work toward agreement on all outstanding issues. Some topics may be resolved quickly, while others require additional discussion.
When the parties reach agreement on all negotiated issues, they develop a tentative agreement. A tentative agreement is not final until it has been ratified by union members and approved by the NWRESD Board.
Once a full tentative agreement is reached, both parties complete their respective approval processes. For labor organizations, this typically includes a member vote. For the district, the agreement is presented to the School Board for approval at a public meeting.
The new agreement takes effect according to its terms and guides wages, benefits, working conditions, and other provisions until the next bargaining cycle.
Every bargaining process is different and timelines are influenced by various factors.
- Number of proposals
- Complexity of proposed changes
- Financial analysis
- Legal review
- Progress toward agreement
What’s Happening Right Now and Why Does It Matter?
We are committed to ensuring every student—particularly those historically marginalized or experiencing disability—has access to the services and support that help them learn, belong and succeed.
Delivering on that commitment requires balancing investments in the staff who provide those services with responsible financial planning that keeps programs sustainable for students and families over the long term.