Collective bargaining and faculty governance are sometimes perceived to be in conflict. Faculty members will debate about whether a specific issue--for example, program consolidations or early college/dual enrollment (where high school students earn college credits taking high school classes taught by high school teachers)--falls under governance or collective bargaining. This approach weakens both endeavors by driving a wedge within the faculty. Collective bargaining is an asset, a tool that can help strengthen and support shared governance. This article will examine some of the issues impacting both shared governance and collective bargaining in public higher education. It will also explore the perceived conflicts between shared governance and faculty unions, and offer some thoughts about how the two can and must work in unison in the face of so many external threats.