Authorizes boards of cooperative educational services to engage in collective bargaining with component school district employees

BILL NUMBER:S994

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to authorizing boards of cooperative educational services to engage in collective bargaining with employee organizations representing teachers and other employees of component school districts

Purpose

Authorizes boards of cooperative educational services (BOCES) to engage in collective bargaining with component school district employees.

Summary of provisions

Section 1- Amends subdivision 4 of section 1950 of the education law by adding a new paragraph oo to allow component school districts with the approval of the commissioner, to provided collective bargaining, pursuant to article fourteen of the civil services law, on a supervisory district-wide basis with the employee organizations representing the teachers and other employees of such district.

Section 2- Contains the effective date.

Justification

There are currently nearly 700 school districts in New York State that separately negotiate collective bargaining agreements. Although school districts can opt to use BOCES to help them negotiate contracts there are no regional contracts among school districts.

Regional and statewide systems do exist in other states many opting for a statewide salary schedule for teachers. This approach is not feasible in New York because of the cost of living discrepancies among regional areas in the State. However, a regional system is a good option to assist school districts in these complex labor agreements.

Legislative history

2011-12: S. 340 Referred to education; A. 146 Held for consideration in education 2010: S. 7659 Referred to Education; A. 10995 Referred to education

Fiscal implications

To be determined

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.