Schools

Teachers Not Making Demands After Repeal of Collective Bargaining Law

Greendale School District officials and the teachers union don't want to waste time with negotiations the courts may yet reverse.

Since news broke that a Dane County judge declared the state’s collective bargaining law as unconstitutional, Greendale Schools and the teachers union have said they are not making any rash decisions in negotiations.

Colas' ruling came as municipalities and school districts are planning for the next fiscal year, or putting the finishing touches on budgets.

Erin Green, Greendale Schools Business Director, said the collective bargaining law will have to work its way through the courts and they do know what will happen yet.

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Greendale Education Association President John Bly said the union has met with district administration to discuss the issue and will not be jumping the gun with demands.

“At this point, we are assuming that this process will turn into a long legal battle and we don't want to make a bunch of demands or changes only to have to change them back if the repeal is nullified,” Bly said. 

Find out what's happening in Greendalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Following the implementation of the collective bargaining law, some benefit cost shifted to employees in 2011-12, leading to a $1.8 million savings for the district, about 6% of the budget.

“There are some new and interesting constitutional issues that have been brought up,” Bly said. “For now, we will wait to see how it all plays out and stay focused on our mission to provide a high-quality education to the kids of Greendale.”


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