What is collective bargaining?

• Collective bargaining is a process of negotiation between an employer and a group of employees aimed at agreements to regulate working salaries, working conditions, benefits, and other aspects of workers' compensation and rights for workers.  Collective bargaining is also referred to as a contract negotiation.

What unions negotiate collective bargaining agreements/contracts with the Rochester School District?

• Rochester Education Association (REA) represents teachers, counselors and other certificated instructional staff.

• Rochester Educational Support Personnel (RESP) represents instructional assistants, secretaries, librarians and other building-level classified staff.

• Teamsters represent maintenance and custodial staff.

• Rochester Coaches Association represent athletic coaches and the concessions manager.

How often do unions negotiate collective bargaining agreements/contracts in Rochester School District?

• Collective bargaining agreements/contracts vary in length.  Generally, they cover a time period of one to three years. Currently, all collective bargaining agreement/contracts in RSD run from September 1st thru August 31st for the agreed upon number of years.

When does collective bargaining occur?

• Collective bargaining can occur at any time of the year.  Traditionally, negotiations occur the spring and summer prior to their August 31st expiration.

What happens if collective bargaining agreements/contracts expire before a new collective bargaining agreement/contract is reached?

• The expiring collective bargaining agreement/contract automatically remains in place until an agreement is reached.