thoughtLEADERS, LLC: Leadership Training for the Real World » The Importance of Setting Quantitative and Qualitative Goals

thoughtLEADERS, LLC: Leadership Training for the Real World » The Importance of Setting Quantitative and Qualitative Goals

Preparing for Negotiations

The time to prepare for negotiations is not when the current contract enters the final year; it starts the day after the current contract is ratified and stays open until you get back to the table!

Constant planning is required to ensure critical goals are reached and needed adjustments are made at every opportunity.  Don't just wait until the formal process begins with meetings between management and the union, work throughout the contract to ensure vital information is collected, processed and understood well before the 'demands' hit the table and most critical - before the table is frozen.

Less than favorable conditions exist when either party attempts to bring up grievances, demands or concerns after both parties have agreed to forgo any additional items thus 'freezing the table'.  What usually happens is the individuals responsible for the actual negotiating receive concerns or demands from those they represent after the initial presentation of concerns or demands.

To ensure this does not happen, I encourage leaders to keep a folder available on their desk marked negotiations and throughout the contract period place items of concern along with extracts of the contract noting changes or errors in order to adjust, fix or modify in the next round of negotiations.