Madison Teachers Incorporated (MTI), previously known as the Madison Education Association (MEA) and the Madison Association of Public School Teachers, Dane County Local #2, is the exclusive collective bargaining agent for teachers of the Madison (Wis.) Metropolitan School District. It is affiliated with the Wisconsin Education Association (WEA) and the National Education Association (NEA).
The organization was formed in the 1930's and functioned primarily as a professional organization for its first thirty years of existence. In the 1960's the MEA began to shift its main focus to that of a labor organization. In June 1964 it was certified as exclusive collective bargaining agent for Madison teachers and in January 1965 the organization elected its first Professional Negotiations Committee (PNC) to bargain a contract with the Board of Education. To limit the legal liability of its officers and further change its image, MEA members voted in February 1966 to incorporate and change the name to Madison Teachers Incorporated.
Throughout its history the organization's work was carried on by its elected officials with some clerical assistance. As MTI grew, the need for a professional staff became apparent. In June 1968, MTI, then with a membership of approximately 1125, appointed John A. Matthews as its first full-time Executive Secretary (a title subsequently changed to Executive Director). Under Matthews' leadership some of the more significant issues and accomplishments have included extended legal battles over the negotiability of the school calendar and the implementation of a fair share agreement, a one-day strike in 1975, and a highly successful 1976 strike.
Overall policy-making responsibility for MTI rests with the Representative Council, composed of faculty representatives elected from each school in the district. Policy implementation and day-to-day management of MTI are the duties of the Board of Directors (composed of the President, President-elect, past President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and four at-large directors and the Executive Director). Responsibility for contract negotiations lies with the PNC which, unlike other committees, is elected directly by the membership. The PNC reports to the Board of Directors and the Representative Council but apparently acts with a good deal of autonomy in contract matters. Another committee important in MTI actions is the Professional Rights and Responsibilities (PR&R) Committee. It receives and oversees the resolution of grievances and employment complaints filed by members.
