The value of the results reached through that dialogue depends upon the good sense, good faith, and patience of those engaged in it. First, collective bargaining allows a group of employees to enjoy the strenght of numbers. Lawrence firefighters can negotiate much better terms and conditions of employment when they negotiate as a group with the City of Lawrence than if they each negotiated individually. KU GTA's will also enjoy such strength. Importantly, collective bargaining does not mean that every employee will receive the same pay, or work under the same conditions.
Employees can negotiate for whatever contract terms they desire through collective bargaining.
With respect to GTA's at KU, collective bargaining will mean that GTA's can negotiate from a position of strength for raising the minimum salary GTA's earn at KU, providing some health benefits to all standard half-time appointment GTA's, securing improved control over workloads across the board, improving salaries for all GTA's to make KU more competitive with other top schools recruiting GTA's, as well as implementing grievance procedures and provisions for sick leave. In general, public employees secure better wages and benefits through collective bargaining than they would enjoy without it. Second, collective bargaining requires employers to bargain with their employees in good faith over terms and conditions of employment. This means that KU administrators must periodically meeth with KU GTA's to discuss in good faith matters of mutual concern to both parties. Without collective bargaining, nothing requires employers to meet or negotiate with employees.