To provide parents with basic information on teacher collective bargaining, this publication discusses collective bargaining processes, legislation, and problems, and the role of parents and parent-teacher associations (PTAs) in the situation. The document first describes the steps in collective bargaining, including preparations for negotiations, makeup of the negotiation teams, negotiating sessions, impasses and arbitration, and scope of bargaining. State and federal legislation on teacher collective bargaining is then reviewed. The next two parts examine possible PTA policies on collective bargaining and raise questions about parent and public participation in the bargaining process. The document then ponders the effects of collective bargaining on educational quality and costs. The last two parts review ways that PTAs can get involved in collective bargaining and describe ways that PTAs have gotten involved in California, Florida, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington State, and Wisconsin. Four appendices provide the national PTA organization's position on teacher collective bargaining, further resources and references, a glossary of bargaining terms, and a checklist on parents' role in teacher bargaining. (Author/RW)