Hamilton County Chancellor Frank BrownA local judge told attorneys he is “leaning toward” granting an injunction that would continue collective bargaining rights for Hamilton County teachers during contract renegotiations this year.
Chancellor Frank Brown III had not ruled on the injunction as of 4 p.m. Monday, when county offices closed. Attorneys for both sides of the collective bargaining question argued the case before him earlier that day.
The Hamilton County Education Association sued the county Board of Education in March over allegations that the board isn’t following the guidelines of the current three-year contract, which allow reopening negotiations annually on pay, insurance, retirement and travel allowances.
The Tennessee Legislature eliminated collective bargaining during its 2011 session, replacing the practice with “collaborative conferencing,” in which school boards are required to meet with teachers on some topics but have no duty to enter into agreements.
The state’s 30-year-old collective bargaining law required local school boards to bargain in districts where a majority of teachers had organized a union. Collective bargaining supporters said the law gave teachers negotiation strength, while opponents said it tied up local boards with too many items included in the agreements.