A federal mediator has been
called in to resolve impasse between Missouri Staff Organization (MSO) and
Missouri NEA (MNEA). At a recent bargaining session between the
two parties, agreement was reached.
However, the next day, MNEA tried to put a one year limit on the
agreed-to items. When MSO reminded them
that the two parties would be back at the bargaining table next spring, MNEA
Executive Director, Peggy Cochran, stated something to the effect of, “What if
MSO wouldn’t agree to deal with it?”
What kind of IBB does she
think is going on here? If one party has
an interest in changing something, the other party has to deal with it. Sometimes one party will not get exactly what
they originally wanted, but usually they come to a compromise that both parties
can live with. If agreement is not
reached, then impasse can be declared and a federal mediator is called in.
So, why doesn’t MNEA trust
the process? If what we agreed to at the
table is not working, we can revisit it in the Spring. However, putting time limits that were NOT
discussed at the bargaining table is unacceptable. MNEA should have some faith that the
bargaining process will deal with whatever issues may arise. This just appears to be them pitching a fit because
they are not getting their way – and they are worried they won’t get their way
in the future. MSO is frustrated over
MNEA’s regressive bargaining behavior and believes MNEA is being hypocritical.
An Unfair Labor Practice has
also been filed with the National Labor Relations Board.
