San Joaquin County teachers\u27 perceptions of collective bargaining

Purpose of the study. The purpose of this study was to determine the perceptions teachers in California\u27s San Joaquin County have regarding collective bargaining. The problem. To determine to what extent teachers perceive that collective bargaining has had an affect upon wages, working conditions, communications, and morale. Furthermore, to determine to what extent teachers support statewide collective bargaining. In addition, to determine if teachers\u27 perceptions of collective bargaining vary based on the number of years taught, gender, grade level taught, and current level of association involvement. Methodology. The research was descriptive in nature and employed a survey questionnaire which consisted of 34 items related to collective bargaining. The questionnaire was sent to a stratified random sample of 200 participants. 150 surveys were completed and returned. Frequency distributions and percentages of response were determined for all survey items. Chi-Square was used to determine if demographic factors affect responses. The level of significance was set at the.01 level. Findings. In analyzing the level of agreement and disagreement for each of the thiry-four items on the questionnaire the consensus of teachers agreed with eighteen (18) of the items. There was no consensus of opinion on five (5) items. Furthermore, teachers disagreed with five (5) of the items. Teachers were evenly divided between their agreement and disagreement on five (5) items. On one (1) item teachers were evenly split between disagreement and uncertainty. Current Level of Association Involvement, was the only demographic factor which influenced a teacher\u27s perception of collective bargaining. The demographic factors of Gender, Experience, and Grade Level Taught produced no significant variance in responses. Recommendations. (1) It is recommended that follow-up research be conducted to determine why teachers responded to certain items. Specifically, why do active association members believe that collective bargaining has improved instruction and working environment? (2) Additional research is recommended to compare the perceptions of teachers in different counties, states, and regions of the United States toward collective bargaining. (3) Additional research is recommended to compare the perceptions of teachers, administrators, and state level union officials toward collective bargaining. (4) Teacher associations should develop strategies to educate teachers, specifically, new teachers, about the benefits of association involvement and should seek ways to more actively involve their membership