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Toolkit

Bargaining Process

(Notetaking Guide)
By: South Dakota Education Association
Published: October 8, 2025
  • Find out about local bargaining history
  • Determine what bargaining strategy you will use
  • Assemble negotiations team
  • Survey bargaining unit
  • Identify goals & priorities
  • Research language & salary
  • Prepare proposals & rationale
  • Send letter requesting to bargain
  • Establish ground rules
  • Present Proposals & Rationale
  • Caucus
  • Prepare counter proposals
  • Tentative agreement
  • Ratification
  • Archive notes, minutes, papers relating to annual negotiations in a location off school
    property for future negotiators to reference

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The South Dakota Education Association is a state affiliate of the National Education Association (NEA), the nation's largest professional employee organization. NEA has affiliate organizations in every state and in more than 14,000 communities across the United States.

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