The origin and development of the Newfoundland Teacher (Collective Bargaining) Act, 1973

Myers, Basil Joseph (1978) The origin and development of the Newfoundland Teacher (Collective Bargaining) Act, 1973. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

The purpose of this study is to describe the decision making process which led to the development of The Newfoundland Teacher (Collective Bargaining) Act, 1973. -- To accomplish this purpose the writer interviewed executive members of the Denominational Education Committees of the Newfoundland Teachers' Association, and of the Federation of School Board Associations of Newfoundland. Personnel from the Departments of Education, Finance, and Manpower and Industrial Relations were also interviewed. In addition, a thorough analysis was made of correspondence, documents and other pertinent information. -- The model used in this study suggests that inputs in the form of demands and supports were converted by the political system into outputs or decisions. -- The conversion process is conceived to be Ian E. Housego's formulation of the politics of interest groups. He stated that the pattern of policy development in education at the provincial level is typically that of the politics of interest groups; that is, that policy emerges from the interactions among the executives of the teachers’ association, the trustees’ association and the senior administrators of the department of education. -- The research revealed that dominant roles in the formulation of the legislation were played by the Newfoundland Teachers’ Association, the Federation of School Board Associations of Newfoundland and the Government of Newfoundland. -- Three factors were found which affected the ultimate shape of the legislation. -- First, the reorganization of the Newfoundland Teachers' Association allowed its president to apply his resources to Association business. -- Secondly, the Federation of School Board Associations of Newfoundland was in its infancy and was experiencing internal organizational and administrative problems. -- Thirdly the unstable political situation in Newfoundland during this period helped the teachers to obtain their goal. -- Collective bargaining legislation was passed unanimously by the members of the House of Assembly on May 1st, 1973. The teachers thus obtained a process through which they negotiate a collective agreement with their employers, an agreement which covers wages, working conditions and grievance procedures.

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