Contract Agreement Reached at end of 5 Days (Versus 2 Years for Previous Contract)

Issue

As they approached contract negotiation time, Webster Central School District (WSCD) and the Webster Teachers' Association (WTA) sought to avoid the two years of antagonistic negotiation they went through to reach the previous contract agreement. The specific issues included:

• Strained relationships between the WTA and WSCD due to 25 years of contract disputes.
• In the previous 10 years, 3 Superintendents had left their jobs under less than ideal circumstances.
• New school board.
• New school building openings.
• Needed remodeling and reopening of other schools.
• Legislative and community challenges.

Process

• 2-day workshops on the Ki ThoughtBridge Interest Based Negotiation Framework, including 70 people from both the WSCD and the WTA to address lack of trust, teamwork, historical animosity and attacks, and other topics.
• Facilitated joint launch for contract negotiations.
• One-Text created, outlining key issues to tackle.
• Ground rules set for 5-day negotiating session.
• Other discussions, coaching, and as-needed facilitated sessions.
• Negotiation session engaged.

Results

• Contract agreement reached at the end of 5 days (versus 2 years for previous contract...approximately 725 days faster).
• Agreement reached on all significant points.
• Contract approved by the WTA and the Board.
• Success translated into other Webster municipal areas such as the Transportation Department and the Professional Practices Committee
• Future agreements and contracts facilitated by Ki ThoughtBridge at Webster in similar fashion and with similar speed.

Client Comments

"I can say unequivocally that I am a 100% convert to the Ki ThoughtBridge process. I have never seen anything like it in terms of logic, practicality, and success! I am so glad we have begun this process in Webster, and even more appreciative of all of your efforts, both in our workshops and especially in our negotiations."
– WTA Treasurer and Negotiating Team Member

"You and your organization are amazing. Largely because of the process and your personal efforts, we covered ground that needed to be explored. While there was a genuine interest on both sides to reach an agreement, it was clear from the discussion and its facilitation, deeper issues needed to be addressed.

Like a mid-stream course correction, this negotiation session helped assure that not only were we on track but most importantly we would not be working at cross purposes."
– WCSD Superintendent