Over the years, The Seattle Times has made no secret about the importance of open government, especially when it comes to the collective bargaining negotiations between elected officials and government unions.  The Times editorial board has published several strongly worded editorials urging transparency in those negotiations.

Spurred by the increasingly antagonistic and rhetoric-laden teacher salary negotiations and the corresponding union threat of statewide strikes, the Times today published yet another commentary on the issue. 

The editorial makes the point that the public, and even the teachers on whose behalf unions are negotiating, are in the dark thanks to the secrecy that shrouds contract negotiations.  This lack of information creates a vacuum that is instead filled by “rhetoric” and “confusion” that serves no purpose other than to conflict and polarize both sides:

“Transparency benefits those involved in negotiations as well as the public. Disclosing terms ensures that all sides know what’s on the table and prevents either side from sharing skewed information.”

Amidst accusations of unlivable wages and demands by the teacher’s union for 35% pay raises, The Times also notes that the public has a right to know what is being offered and rejected in order to determine and hold accountable who is, and is not, negotiating in good faith, since taxpayer dollars foot the bill:

“The public, which is paying more state taxes to fund this K-12 overhaul, must be able to see how and whether it’s working. Visibility is needed into whether reforms are being supported or undermined during bargaining.”

This isn’t a revolutionary idea, nor should it be controversial.  Many other states require teacher contract negotiations take place in the open, and in this state Pullman school district blazed a trail and opened negotiations to the public last year, with no ill effects (Pullman schools finalized teacher contract negotiations with a 17% pay raise over two years and school started on time). The rest of the state would do well to follow suit.

If there is any state where transparency is needed, it is Washington, where the beginning of every school year is marred by hostile contract negotiations and salary demands under the threat of strikes. Perhaps it is no coincidence that Washington leads the nation in teacher strikes and students here experience more learning disruptions through union action than in any other state.