Consultation Agreements

What Is Consultation? And Why It Matters.

Texas is a “right to work” state. Despite the name, “right to work” does not protect workers’ rights to negotiate better pay or working conditions. Instead, it allows employees to receive the benefits unions win—such as improved wages, safer workplaces, and stronger protections—without contributing to the organization that makes those gains possible.

Texas law also prohibits collective bargaining for public school employees. While police, fire, and EMS workers have the legal right to negotiate binding contracts, educators and school staff are denied that same protection.

But in Austin ISD, educators have built something powerful in its place.

Austin’s Consultation Process

Through decades of organizing led by Texas AFT and former President Linda Bridges, Austin ISD employees secured Elective Consultation—a formal, recognized process that gives school employees a collective voice in district decision-making.

Education Austin has been elected by AISD employees as the exclusive consultation agent for all non-supervisory staff. That means Education Austin represents employees when meeting with the district to address wages, benefits, working conditions, safety, and other critical workplace issues, monthly.

Consultation is more than conversation. It is a structured process where union representatives and district leadership meet to:

• Exchange information and data

• Advocate for employee priorities

• Negotiate improvements to policies and working conditions

• Develop agreements that can become official district policy or stand as enforceable agreements

Consultation ensures employee voices are part of decisions that directly affect their work and their students.

Why Membership Matters

Consultation only works when educators stand together. The strength of Education Austin at the consultation table depends on the strength of our membership.

When more AISD employees join Education Austin:

• Our negotiating power grows

• The district takes employee priorities more seriously

• We are better equipped to defend workplace protections

• We can push for stronger improvements for staff and students

Every consultation agreement—from pay improvements to safety protections—exists because educators organized and chose to act collectively.

Even in a state that limits educator bargaining rights, Austin educators have built a system that delivers real results. That progress depends on members who are willing to stand together and invest in the collective voice that represents them.

Joining Education Austin strengthens the voice that strengthens our schools.