The Fairness in Negotiations Act (FINA)
The Fairness in Negotiations Act (FINA) supported by MSEA adds a long overdue fairness component to Maryland’s collective bargaining for K-12 employees by establishing a process for a neutral public employee labor relations board to resolve labor disputes within a timeline and issue a decision with which both parties must comply. Either party can appeal the board decision to the court.
There is no fiscal impact to the State.
What you need to know:
- The legislation preserves the fiscal relationship between the county and the local school board.
- The legislation requires a labor board to consider the local board’s ability to fund a final order.
- The legislation requires the labor board to balance the interests and welfare of the public against the interests of the employees.
- The legislation establishes a timeline for the negotiations between local board of education and the local K-12 employee association to be completed.
- The legislation addresses concerns raised by Maryland Association of Counties, the Maryland Association of Boards of Education, the Public School superintendents Association of Maryland, and the Maryland Negotiations Service.
- The legislation establishes a process for a neutral third party to resolve differences between two parties, which adds a strong incentive for both sides to come to agreement early.
- The legislation makes procedures for assignments and transfers for teachers subjects for bargaining.
|
