Posts Tagged ‘negotiation’

DC Teachers Approve Groundbreaking Contract

Monday, June 14th, 2010


Last week, Washington, DC teachers approved a groundbreaking contract by a stunning 80% to 20% margin. The contract is innovative by any number of criteria. In fact, it turns the standard teacher contract on its head.

In a Sunday, June 13, 2010 New York Daily News editorial, Washington, DC school chancellor Michelle Rhee summarized the list of creative contract provisions:

  • Pay for performance: “Paid for with private money, and voluntary for teachers,” the pay for performance system “recognizes and rewards our most highly effective teachers for their individual accomplishments in raising student achievement.”
  • Layoff provisions: “When a school undergoes a budget reduction and a layoff is necessary, that decision is made based on performance, not seniority.”
  • Teacher placement: “A teacher cannot be placed at a school unless the teacher and the school principal agree.” Teachers “who cannot find a ‘mutual consent placement’ … are moved out of the system.”
  • Elimination of tenure: Teachers rated as ‘ineffective’ are “immediately terminated from the system.” Those rated ‘minimally effective’ have their pay frozen and after two years are terminated.

According to Rhee, “in exchange for these reforms, teachers are receiving unprecedented levels of support, resources, professional development, voice in decision-making and pay – an increase of 20% over previous salary levels (with additional bonuses making it possible to make twice as much).”

Contract highlights are available from the Washington Teacher’s Union.


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Breaking Through Impasse

Friday, February 12th, 2010


At some point in most meetings, there is impasse. Two participants take opposite sides on an issue. You know the drill: as they defend their positions, they dig their heels more firmly in. The group’s frustration builds; energy levels diminish.

Don’t get me wrong. Conflict can be necessary to group decision making. No group should fear conflict or disagreement.

However, by using two simple techniques from the worlds of negotiation and creativity, you can ferret out and eliminate the unnecessary discussion of disagreement.

  • Replace the habit of “Either… Or” with “Both… And.” Using this technique as a facilitator, I am regularly reminded how often two competing alternatives are actually compatible. In fact, participants usually begin smiling when they realize that the two alternatives they saw as mutually exclusive are actually complimentary — more powerful together than either one alone.
  • Use “Split the Difference.” When the difference is quantitative in nature, propose a solution that is half way between the two positions.

If impasse emerges at your next meeting, try these two simple techniques. Reduce frustration, generate energy and build a habit of collegial agreement.

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