PAGE TITLE GOES HERE Arthur F. Rosenfeld Director U.S. Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service October 23, 2008 International Perspectives: Workplace Dispute Resolution Conference

The impact of changing nature of work –Technology provides the means for work to be done anywhere –Jobs can be moved anywhere in search of cheaper labor costs –Pressure on unions to make concessions to management in exchange for assurances of job security –Organized labor is re-organizing and re-inventing itself to adapt to this changed work environment

The effects of the global economic downswing –Increased pressure to cut costs »Reduced job security »Reduced benefits –Unionized workforce is perceived as more costly than non- unionized workforce –Intensification of labor-management tension, management and unions negotiating as economic adversaries rather than collaborative problem-solvers

Collective bargaining trends –Increase in labor-management tension –Management demands for concessionary contracts –Unions trying to increase clout at the bargaining table through mergers and national contracts –Longer term contracts –Job security becoming key bargaining issue with health care and pensions

The state of dispute resolution in labor relations –Persistent attitude that accepting mediation in a dispute is a sign of weakness –Lack of labor-relations training at business schools –Fewer labor-relations professionals, lack of experience on both sides

Developing mediation capacity and skills –FMCS program of outreach and education, teaching the value and benefits of mediation –Relationship development and training –Meetings and conferences –Long-term relationships in communities with institutions, businesses and unions –Must keep renewing relationships