POLISHING SKILLS — PEF Vice President and Labor-Management Coordinator Pat Baker (R) explains the importance of learning new bargaining techniques to members at the third annual L-M conference held in Albany at the end of May. — Photo by Cliff Merchant
Conference highlights tools for L-M success
Fist-pounding on the table at labor-management meetings is a thing of the past. Or should be. That’s one of the messages PEF leaders walked away with following the third annual labor-management forum held in Albany in May.
The forum — Blueprint for Building Labor-Management Effectiveness — focused on getting results. One way to do that, L-M leaders learned, is through clearer understanding and communication at the table.
PEF Vice President and L-M Coordinator Pat Baker said the conference was designed to polish the skills of PEF leaders, provide new insights for increased union power, and streamline agendas for maximum effectiveness.
“Our L-M chairs and council leaders have varying levels of experience,” Baker said. “This conference will help each individual design a blueprint to build or improve their own effectiveness.”
Hezekiah Brown, the keynote speaker, drew upon his 35 years of experience in labor relations as an arbitrator and mediator. He is also a former director of labor-management programs at Cornell University.
He explained to the nearly 100 participants the mistakes associated with the “I” disease.
“Mr. Brown cautioned us to be careful of the ‘I’ disease — when a person puts the focus on himself,” said John Sroka, PEF Division 299 council leader. “You make more progress when you try to realize what the other person at the table is experiencing.”
“It’s important to keep the lines of communication open,” said Bellew McManus, PEF Executive Board representative for the state Executive Department. “The conference was helpful by providing tools to work out conflicts.”
At a mock meeting, McManus said they learned the importance of staying focused on the agenda, setting firm dates for specific actions, and how to handle recurring agenda items.
Training sessions also provided ways to resolve disagreements, differences of opinion and internal conflicts.
“This year, we concentrated on resolving problems,” Baker said. “Our training on mediation should prove to be effective for many of our leaders.”
— Deborah A. Miles
The
Communicator July/August 04
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