Higher Education ESP --
Building a Quality Workforce

Boards of Trustees --  Bargaining, Policy & Politics

Higher Ed ESP members and Locals must interact with and relate to a broader and less connected constituency than traditional K-12 Locals. Their "education community" is not as clear-cut and well-defined because the college campus serves a generally wider area than a public school district, and is not as well-linked to the tax payers or parents. In most states, the higher education network is county and/or state based, regarding both funding and policy.

Most often the governing body making all decisions for the higher education institution is a Board of Trustees. These individuals are not elected by the general public or even residents of any particular community related to the college or university. In most cases they are connected with higher education in some fashion, but are usually appointed by either county or state level politicians. The impact on policy and bargaining (in both bargaining and non-bargaining states) is of a very political nature.

It is important to remember that for the most part, Higher Ed ESP have the same issues and difficulties with bargaining, contract enforcement, funding, budgets, seniority, tenure, training, professional development, and working conditions as ESP in K-12 Locals. The difference is that "politics" creates a more stressful, less controlled, and more amorphous atmosphere in which the Local and members must negotiate.

Part of dealing in this problem is determining how to effectively communicate members' concerns about terms and conditions of employment to affect the outcome of negotiations. For the most part, using community action and involvement is not very effective in this situation. Generally, the best approach is some kind of "political action" by members and the local.

Here's an example of political action: The estimate for budget deficits for all states in extreme financial trouble is billions of dollars and growing. These deficits will have a profound effect on all education funding and in particular on college and university campuses all over the country. In Oregon, for example, colleges and universities were informed of major cuts in funding due to the state's deficits. College Presidents all over Oregon came together with faculty, staff and students and marched on and lobbied the state legislature. (USA Today 11/12/2002)

There should be training and information on more political action of this nature, rather than the classic community action used so effectively by K-12 ESP. Higher Ed ESP must be active, informed, and well-organized in order to be effective as members and employees.

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