New venue for labor disputes?

[Omaha Steve]

My union has to go through the CIR by state law. So yes this would effect me.

http://www.omaha.com/article/20101201/NEWS97/712019886/0#new-venue-for-labor-disputes

By Joe Dejka
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

Critics of the state's labor court have a new ally from the education field.

The Nebraska Association of School Boards is calling on lawmakers to come up with alternatives to the Commission of Industrial Relations for settling contract impasses with teachers unions.

The commission settles labor disputes between employee unions and governments, but it has long been a source of frustration for county boards, school boards and city councils across Nebraska.

John Bonaiuto, the association's executive director, said the commission consistently drives up wages, while school districts face the unpredictability of state limits on resources and spending.

Because the commission compares wages between districts and raises salaries for those below average, it acts as a “treadmill” constantly driving up wages, Bonaiuto said.

Districts that fall below average find themselves in trouble, he said.

“So, you can't be at average or below,” he said. “And that means if somebody's moving up, somebody's moving down. That's how it works. It's a constantly moving target.”

FULL story at link.