The Sutton
School Committee recognizes that education is a public trust and is dedicated
to providing the best possible educational opportunities for the young people of
this community. In negotiations, this objective may be best attained if there
is a climate of mutual trust and understanding between negotiating parties.
The school
committee believes that the best interests of public education will be served
by establishing procedures that provide an orderly method for the school
committee and representatives of other parties to discuss matters of common
concern.
Nothing in negotiations will compromise the
school committee's legal responsibilities nor will any employee's statutory
rights or privileges be impaired.
Adopted June
7, 2004
All
negotiations between the school committee and recognized employee groups are
conducted subject to Chapter 150E of Massachusetts General Laws. The legal
status of negotiations is defined in part by Section 2 of that chapter, as
follows:
Employees shall have the right of
self-organization and the right to form, join, or assist any employee
organization for the purpose of bargaining collectively through representatives
of their own choosing on questions of wages, hours, and other terms and
conditions of employment, and to engage in lawful, concerted activities for the
purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection, free from
interference, restraint, or coercion. An employee shall have the right to
refrain from any or all of such activities, except to the extent of making such
payment of service fees to an exclusive representative as provided in section
twelve.
Basic to all
employer/employee negotiations is the concept of "bargaining in good
faith." It is the legal responsibility of both the school committee and
employee organizations to bargain in good faith as they conduct negotiations.
However, such obligation does not compel either party to agree to a proposal or
make a concession.
Adopted June
7, 2004