 Frontline leaders network, focus on strategic planning BY CLIFF MERCHANT “Very thought provoking!” “I particularly liked the knowledge, experience and dynamic styles of the presenters.” “This was an excellent chance to spend time constructively with others with similar interests and union specialties.” These are just some of the comments made by participants in evaluating PEF’s Labor/Management (L/M) Conference “Leading on the Front Line” held in Albany, April 12-14. This first-of-its-kind Conference was the vision of PEF's Vice President and L/M Coordinator Pat Baker. Her experience with the various L/M Committees convinced her of the need to bring together the Division Council Leaders and Statewide L/M Chairs to address L/M issues and provide them with new ideas and skills to take back to their teams. PEF President Roger Benson kicked off the conference Friday night talking with these leaders about the importance of the labor management process. “Council Leaders and Statewide L/M Chairs play a critical role in building PEF’s power to achieve job security, stronger contracts, and retirement reform,” Benson said. “It is also important that every division become a fully mobilized division to help you reach your labor/management goals.” The group also participated in a “fireside chat,” sharing issues, problems and successes that were happening in their facilities and agencies. The keynote speaker and workshop presenter was Sally Klingel, a Senior Associate for Programs for Employment and Workplace Systems with Cornell University. She discussed strategic thinking and planning, focusing on power, rights and interests. Klingel worked with participants to identify strategies, determine the issues that can be advanced through the L/M committee and determine factors that keep the union from achieving its goals. The participants networked and shared cross agency experiences at another workshop, the fireside chat. The participants took this opportunity to focus on sharing their issues problems and successes and using their own experience to identify solutions and strategies. Other presenters included Ira Lobel, Commissioner for the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, Jim Miller, Director of Resolve It, Inc. and PEF Political Director Bob Bain.
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