Alternative Considerations for Professional Negotiations in Education for the State of Alabama.

The course of collective bargaining for public employees (including teachers) in the state of Alabama is examined in this study. Although Alabama currently has no state legislation providing for bargaining for teachers, the trend nationally, as well as in the state, seems to be toward establishment of bargaining units for public employees. The author interviewed representatives of Alabama organizations that indicated interest in and influence on employer-employee relations in the state. These organizations included business and employer groups such as the Chamber of Commerce, as well as employee groups such as the Alabama Education Association. He also surveyed school district personnel and selected legislators and mayors. The results of the survey indicate that Alabama is not yet a good nesting place for public employee collective bargaining. Also included is a summary of labor legislation for other states and a brief review of the history of collective bargaining. The author concludes that since some form of professional negotiations for teachers and other public employees is inevitable, the state should take immediate action to prepare for the passage of a collective bargaining law. The author proposes the content of such a law. (Author/DS)