There has never been a book describing what labor negotiations in public schools are really like. Until now. 

With over 40 years serving as the chief negotiator for the largest to the smallest school districts in California (and over 15 years as an elected school board member), Gregory J. Dannis has negotiated over 1000 collective bargaining agreements with public employee unions representing school and community college districts through the constant ups and downs of a turbulent economy and even during a global pandemic. 

This book discloses, describes, and analyzes universal patterns, themes, and strategies in all forms of negotiations that all parties recognize internally but seldom reveal for fear of losing power and leverage at the bargaining table. It also depicts the legal, political, and economic landscapes of the California public education system over the past 4 decades - a system serving nearly 6 million students with an annual budget approaching $130 billion. 

Each chapter provides different perspectives and approaches on how to prepare for and conduct effective negotiations and identify warning signs in the process. From the Evolution of a Negotiator to Labor's Lessons to How to Negotiate Using Core Values to the Epiphanies of Negotiations and more, this book is an invaluable and unique resource to all who toil at the bargaining table, especially those for public schools.