Interest Arbitration Assistance

Interest Arbitration Assistance

Overview: NEA-Alaska may provide financial assistance to local associations for the cost of advisory interest arbitration.

Award Amount: Requests for NEA-Alaska assistance limited to $3,600 or $18 per member, whichever is greater.

Geographic Scope: Alaska

Eligible Applicants: NEA-Alaska Local Associations

Conditions for Funding:

1. Training Requirement: The local must have participated in statewide, regional, or local bargaining training.

2. Dues Requirements:
- Local dues must be at least $120 per member ($60 per ESP member)
- This requirement may be waived (see board policy)

3. Administrative Requirements:
- Must have a signed Dues Transmittal Agreement on file
- Must be current in dues obligations to both NEA and NEA-Alaska (see board policy)

4. Resource Commitment: Must demonstrate significant commitment to bargaining in terms of resources (both human and financial), such as a bargaining line item in the local's budget.

5. Budget Requirements:
- Must have an annual budget with funding for bargaining before expenses are incurred
- Budget must be at least $36 per member, $18 per ESP members
- Bargaining funding may include: training for bargaining team members, expenses for bargaining team meetings, bargaining support activities (including public relations), release time for team members and activists, and proportional expenses of release time officers

6. Staff Involvement: UniServ staff person assisting the local should be involved in budget development. If not involved, request may receive negative recommendation and require 2/3 vote for approval by NEA-Alaska Board.

7. Interest Arbitration Eligibility: A local that spends $12 per association member per membership year on Advisory Interest Arbitration is eligible to apply. This is separate from bargaining expenses and may be funded from a designated account outside the annual budget.

8. Application Process: Requests should be referred to the Board of Directors by the local association/NEA-Alaska staff whenever possible.

9. Annual Requirement: Any request for bargaining assistance must be made annually.

Contact Information:

Anchorage Office: 4100 Spenard Road, Anchorage, AK 99517, (907) 274-0536

Juneau Office: 201 Main Street, Suite 300, Juneau, AK 99801, (907) 586-3090

Fairbanks Office: 2118 S. Cushman Street, Fairbanks, AK 99701, (907) 456-4435