Section A:     Chief Negotiator

1.    The President shall appoint the Chief Negotiator in consultation with the Executive Committee, subject to approval by the Representative Assembly.
 
2.    The President shall not appoint himself/herself as Chief Negotiator.

3.    The Chief Negotiator’s term shall commence 60 days after the signing of a new collective bargaining agreement and the Chief Negotiator shall serve until 60 days after the signing of the successor agreement.

4.    Upon the recommendation of the President in consultation with the Executive Committee, and subject to the approval of the Representative Assembly, the Chief Negotiator may be removed from office and a new Chief Negotiator be appointed.
 

Section B:    Negotiating Council

1.    Membership and Appointment

    When a new Chief Negotiator assumes office he/she shall within 30 days and in consultation with the President recommend appointments for a new negotiating council. The Chief Negotiator, President, and Vice President shall be members of the council. An additional six members shall serve a term of one year and may be reappointed or dismissed by the agreement of the President and the Chief Negotiator, with the approval of the Representative Assembly.

2.    Vacancies

    Negotiating Council vacancies may be filled at any time by the President and the Chief Negotiator with the approval of the Representative Assembly.

3.    Meetings

A.    The Chief Negotiator shall call the first meeting of the new council. 

B.    Deliberations of the Negotiating Council shall be confidential.

C.    The nine-member Negotiating Council must have a quorum (consisting of a majority of its members) to plan negotiating strategy and to draft proposals.  At least two (2) members of the Negotiating Team must be present at all meetings.

Section C:    Negotiating Team

1.    The Negotiating Team shall be led by the Chief Negotiator and shall include at least two additional members chosen from and by the Negotiating Council.

2.    The Negotiating Team shall negotiate with the District and shall report to the Negotiating Council.

Section D:    Negotiating Procedures and Contract Ratification

1.    The Negotiating Council surveys the membership and recommends topics for negotiation to the Representative Assembly.

2.    The Representative Assembly authorizes topics for negotiation and approves the sunshine letter.

3.    The Negotiating Council may seek advice of committees, the Representative Assembly, and the general membership concerning negotiations.

4.    The Negotiating Council directs the Negotiation Team with respect to topics and items for negotiation with the District.

5.    In deciding negotiating positions, the Negotiating Council shall strive for consensus. If consensus cannot be reached, the majority will prevail.

6.    At least two members of the Negotiating Team, including the Chief Negotiator, shall be present during any discussions of bargaining issues with the District while negotiations are in progress.

7.    When the Negotiating Team reaches table agreement with the District's representatives, that agreement is presented to the Negotiating Council. If the Negotiating Council approves the agreement, a general membership meeting is called and the agreement is explained to the membership at that meeting.

8.    If agreement with the District cannot be reached, the membership is informed of the choices before it at a general meeting.

9.    Prior to ratification, a copy of all the proposed contract changes will be made available to all Association members.  The Negotiating Council will strive to make available a copy of the actual proposed contract.

10.    The vote on ratification of the contract will be conducted by secret ballot.  The vote will be conducted by the Nominations and Elections Committee, according to Article IX, Section C, 1, D.  A majority vote in the affirmative of the members who vote shall be necessary for contract ratification.