There it is. I spent nearly 20 years as a Union representative and leader in Federal government. You can not strike, and you can not negotiate pay or benefits. Yet... the issues of Impact and Implementation in Changes in Working Conditions kept me more than busy. As President of a Local representing around 1,000 employees, and later as a National VP representing around 10,000 Federal employees at more than 900 worksites, I was privileged to literally make history, as a facilitator and negotiator of the first fully interest-based Collective Bargaining Agreement in the history of the U.S. Federal sector. Imagine... two teams of 11 negotiators each, engaged for a year in meeting with managers, union reps, and employees nationwide, to develop the set of issues and interests that mattered to everyone. Then... sequestering ourselves for a month... and writing a 242-page agreement...EVERY WORD OF WHICH WAS AGREED TO BY THE FULL CONSENSUS OF ALL 22 NEGOTIATORS ON BOTH SIDES. Unions are the collective voice of employees. Negotiation does not have to mean fighting over positions. Negotiation can be 100% collaborative, respectful... and producttive.
Posted on: Sat, 17 Jan 2015 05:28:14 +0000