Pullman School District begins collective bargaining

The Pullman School District earlier this year adopted a resolution to initiate a collective bargaining process to allow the public to observe – but not participate in – collective bargaining negotiations between the school district and employees.

The agreement was approved in January and made the Pullman School District the first in the state to implement the practice.

“Oregon and Idaho already do it, but for Washington it's a pretty big deal,” said Jami Lund, senior education policy analyst for the Freedom Foundation. “We've been watching this issue with interest and fascination.”

The district, in a news release on its website, stated that opening the door during the bargaining ensures an open, transparent negotiating process. Lund said he feels it also makes a more efficient process.

“It mitigates some of the more extreme positions,” he said. “That makes you get things done faster.”

The resolution was first presented by board member Dean Kinzer in December and then further discussed at the Jan. 11 meeting before being approved on Jan. 25.

The bargaining began this week, with paraprofessionals being the first up on Wednesday. Paraprofessionals will again have collective bargaining meetings on Thursday, April 27, and Tuesday, June 13. Secretaries will meet for collective bargaining on Wednesday, May 31. Teachers will meet on Tuesday, May 30, Thursday, June 8, and Wednesday, June 21.

All meetings are open to the public and will take place in the community/board room at Pullman High School. All meetings, with the exception of the June 21 meeting, will be from 3:30-6 p.m. The June 21 meeting will be from 1-5 p.m.