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Michigan Educational Collaborative Alliance
A Partnership for Progress
In 1999, Michigan public school employees, school board members and school administrators formed a historic partnership--The Michigan Educational Collaborative Alliance (MECA). Its purpose is two-fold. To change forever the prevailing adversarial nature of labor relations and to provide to school districts an opportunity to learn and apply the principles, elements and techniques of a new approach to their employment relationship. MECA is a partnership with the Michigan Education Association (MEA), Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB), Michigan Association of School Administrators (MASA) and the Michigan Federation of Teachers/School Related Personnel (MFT/SRP). What is the Interest-Based Process?
It is the non-adversarial approach to labor issues that can be used for negotiations, problem-solving, communications and relationships and improving school climate. Why it Works
The interest-based process is based on objective reasoning rather than power or coercion. Because it is analytic and creative, it helps people employ these strengths as partners in problem-solving and decision-making. Unlike traditional negotiations where there are winners and losers, all parties in the interest-based process own the solution. There is mutual commitment to the process and its results.
For more information, contact Carl Hartman, Director of Labor Relations at MASB, 517.327.5923 or email Carl.
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