At the onset of the negotiating process, both parties were unable to see the common

value issues where no opposition existed. Through the negotiation process, my party
and the school board have recognized common goals thereby showing us that we are in
fact not adversaries. Building on this basis, we have come up with compromises for
the community’s and our respective benefit.

One of the issues in which a concession has been reached is the issue or decreasing
the teaching force in Newtown. While the reduction in the number of teachers under
employment by the board is seen as necessary, my team at the beginning of the
negotiation process opposed this move as it would have jeopardized the work
security of the Teacher’s Association members.

However, it has been noted that thirty teachers did not return to the system due to
either retirement or other reasons. In addition to this, there has been a notable
increase (5%) in the number of retirements as the year’s progress.

Both teams have therefore agreed that instead of laying off teachers, the board can
suspend employing new teachers in the coming years. As a result of this, the
teaching force will naturally decrease without the current teaching force suffering
from loss of employment. This is a position that is acceptable to both sides.

The other issue of concern is the term of the contracts. While the school board
proposes a three year term, my team demands a one year term contract. Since both
sides have their valid arguments to justify their demands, the only way that this
matter can be resolved is through compromise.

The two sides therefore agreed on a two year contract which demonstrates a relaxing
of the initial demands by both sides. As such, while none of the sides wins, both
sides end up with a better bargain that what the other side previously demanded.

Conclusion
Since there was a desire by my team and the Newtown School board members to come up
with a solution that would avert a strike, both teams engaged in negotiation
efforts to constructively resolve the conflicts at hand. From these negotiation
efforts, compromises were made and both teams agreed to terms that were acceptable
to all parties.

Since there is goodwill and a desire to avoid dispute by both parties, it can be
expected that both parties will fulfill their ends of the bargain therefore leading
to a harmonious coexistence.

Not sure if you can write a paper on The Ne