Unleashing the Potential of Positive Joint Labor/Management Change

Six workshops for union and management leaders.

• Exploring Interest Based Bargaining

  Interest Based Bargaining (IBB) is a different way to negotiate the collective bargaining agreement. IBB addresses complex issues through problem solving while satisfactorily addressing the needs and concerns of both union and management.

  You will learn...

  • Why bargaining committees use IBB
  • What IBB looks like and how it works
  • How IBB differs from traditional bargaining
  • How to engage constituents and stakeholders
  • How to assess readiness for IBB
  • How an interest based approach is used in other workplace endeavors
• Managing the Difficult and Dual Relationship between Stewards and Supervisors

  Supervisors and stewards are key to effective labor relations yet misunderstandings and the concerns of daily work often get in the way of shop floor harmony and organizational success. Often it can be difficult to shift from a supervisor-subordinate relationship to one of co-equals. It also can be difficult to move beyond roles of enforcer and advocate.

  You will learn...

  • Sensitivity to the dual roles and responsibilities of supervisors and stewards
  • Strategies for effectively communicating in each role
  • How to conduct effective investigations;
  • How to use interest based methods for solving problems and resolving disputes
  • How to create conditions that enable and foster cooperation
• Exploring Joint Work Redesign

  Workplace redesign using a joint union and management approach produces change that is more widely accepted and can be implemented more effectively. A joint approach takes advantage of the combined experience and expertise of union and management, employees and supervisors, to craft a work design that addresses employee production needs and concerns.

  You will learn...

  • How to recognize the reasons for change
  • How to make the case for change to your constituents
  • What the choices are in the redesign process and the consequences for each
  • What the relationship is between work redesign and the collective bargaining agreement
  • What a joint union-management redesign process looks like
• Exploring Options for Union-Management Cooperation

  Explore how cooperation between management and the union can add value in your organization. Examine the range of ways that joint labor-management processes can be applied in the workplace and their consequences.

  You will learn...

  • Where it works and why, and where and why it doesn't;
  • The necessary pre-conditions for success;
  • How to build readiness;
  • Creative ways that unions and management have helped their constituents and organizations;
  • To identify strategies to increase trust between the parties;
  • The steps involved in developing a joint labor-management process.
• Managing Work-Family Issues Together

  Today, both families and employers feel considerable stress as they try to balance their multiple responsibilities. Work-family concerns typically surface when dealing with absenteeism, attendance policies, overtime, scheduling, personal leave and related issues.

  You will learn:

  • How unions and employers have creatively met demands of the business while supporting employees' family responsibilities
  • How to create and environment that supports the needs of the business while supporting the needs of employees and their families
• Joint Strategies for Everyday Problem Solving and Planning

  Whether you want to extend the cooperative process you used in negotiations or merely want to find a better way to make changes or resolve those issues that come up, an interest based process can help.

  You will learn...

  • How to apply an interest based approach to joint problem solving and planning
  • How to create and nurture conditions that enable cooperative union-management efforts
  • Techniques to facilitate an interest based process