Many states allow public employees to negotiate collectively for their employment contracts. Although these negotiations affect a huge portion of state and local budgets, they are often hidden from the public. This report examines which states grant public access to public sector collective bargaining.
”States that allow public access”
Eleven states allow the public some form of access to public sector collective bargaining sessions. They range in openness from allowing complete access to merely providing summarized minutes, but all allow citizens to get some information about the progression of negotiations.
”Alaska”
Alaska law requires that school districts give the public opportunities to comment on the issues to be addressed in collective bargaining before bargaining begins. In addition, a few documents from the districts