American Federation of. Teachers; National Education Association

This article reviews the current status of collective bargaining in higher education, with a special focus on representation in two-year institutions. After identifying the extent of representation by bargaining agents, the year in which first faculty collective bargaining contracts have been signed, and distinguishing among four-year and two-year institutions and public and private ones, the current status of state collective bargaining legislation is summarized, with an eye toward how much more activity may be generated as additional permissive state legislation is enacted. The main thrust deals with "who bargains with whom " rather than "about what. " Three organizations that have emerged as the major contenders for the representation of faculty interests in collective bargaining, the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association, and the American Association of University Professors, are discussed in terms of national positions as well as numbers of contracts negotiated. Indepvndent bargaining representatives are similarly reviewed. In addition to the extensive description of the collective bargaining issue, the author speculates as to future developments in the field. (Author/AH) c