Catherwood LibraryILR School

Negotiations between the Eugene School District in Oregon and their teachers? union are likely to differ in process from years past due to labor relations events elsewhere in the state. For the first time since 1987 the administration has hired an outside group to lead negotiations, the same year that the district experienced the longest school strike in Oregon?s history. Additionally, the school board will vote on whether or not to close the negotiations sessions to both the public and the media. The same school board may have already violated Oregon law in December when it excluded media from executive sessions regarding labor negotiations. The school board has said that it is worried about the ability of its members to speak candidly with the teacher?s association during the negotiating process if the media is not barred from the meetings. Union representatives have stated that the members would rather have negotiations take place publicly.