Common use of Bargaining Process Clause in Contracts

Bargaining Process. 1. Either the Association or the Board may initiate negotiations by letter of submission forwarded by the Association to the Superintendent or by the Superintendent to the President of the Association. In the absence of the Superintendent, requests shall be submitted directly to the Board President. The letter of submission must be forwarded to the other party by April 15 of the year in which this Agreement expires. 2. The parties shall hold their first negotiation session by May 1, unless a mutually satisfactory earlier or later date is agreed upon. At the initial session, the parties will exchange their complete proposals. Each proposal shall fully set forth that to which agreement is sought. Submission of topical listings will not be permitted. After the initial session, proposals on new issues may not be submitted, except by mutual agreement. 3. Each negotiating team may consist of no more than seven (7) persons, one of whom may be a consultant or attorney. Either party may use a consultant or attorney as spokesperson for its team. No substitutes will be permitted without the consent of the other party. Prior to the completion of each negotiation session, a mutually agreeable time, place and date shall be set for the next negotiation session. 4. When the parties reach a complete tentative agreement the Agreement shall be presented to the Association for its approval. Upon ratification by the Association, the Agreement will be presented to the Board for adoption. 5. Unless otherwise mutually agreed by the parties, all costs and expenses, including payment of consultants, shall be borne by the party incurring the cost or expense.