1. Preparing for Bargaining, Key to Success! Angel F. González University of Iowa Labor Center M210 Oakdale Hall Iowa City, IA 52240

2. Bargaining Effectiveness Criteria How many high priority problems were successfully addressed? How long did bargaining take? How many days were actually spent at the table or mediation or impasse resolution? To what extent did employees participate in improving working conditions through the bargaining process? The union cannot bargain effectively unless it is active and competent in legislative and political action, contract enforcement, and organizing.

3. The Challenge is… To carry out a bargaining strategy that succeeds in achieving the highest priorities of the members, as quickly as possible and with as little wasted effort as necessary and in a way that allows employees to participate actively in the process.

4. Getting what the members want Ask Research: –Grievance records –Review last contract Pick the best tool for the job: –Litigation –Arbitration –Negotiation –Participation

5. Organizing Model of Bargaining high membership involvement open communications concerted action in the workplace coordinated to support specific bargaining issues and demands outreach to community, political, and public allies (other unions, shareholders, customers, voters, etc.) bargaining demands promote union’s broader political, social, and organizing goals (e.g., bargaining for time off to vote, for more access to new hires at orientation, for more union control on safety committee, etc.)

6. A Contract Campaign Is… Focused on workplace issues Direct action oriented Engaged in continuous outreach Centered on the workplace Based on worker groups not individuals

7. Key Elements: Start Early Honest evaluation of strengths and weaknesses. Research employer’s position. Review last contract (gains/losses) Set goals Members Decide: Informed, active membership is crucial Members must be clear about what actions they are willing to take.

8. Key Elements (cont.) Build Leadership: Recruit more rank and file volunteers Establish an organizing committee Educate and motivate Prioritize: Survey the membership Establish clear goals

9. Key Elements (cont.) Keep Information Flowing: Establish strong communications network. One-on-one, phone trees, meetings, flyers, websites, email lists. Escalate Actions: Build momentum towards expiration date. Start with actions that require less risk. Save the best for last!

10. Key Elements (cont.) Mobilize Community Support: Have a message that resonates with public. Enlist the help of other unions, clergy, politicians, stockholders.

11. Organizing Committee Broad one-on-one communication network Member education and signing up new members Literature production & distribution Escalating workplace actions Coalitions with allies Press and public communication

12. Assessing Your Unit Membership/non-membership #s 1.Logistics What areas are strong/weak? What areas are to be targeted? Who talks with new hires and others? Follow-up meetings. 2.Have you mapped the workplace? 3.Where are your key people?

13. Reviewing the Contract and Past Grievances Why do it? What can we hope to learn?

14. Surveys Bargaining priorities should be established by surveying all employees Take advantage of this opportunity to increase union visibility in the workplace Follow up to ensure the most surveys are returned completed Once received and tabulated channel issues to the appropriate committee for further action.

15. Surveys serve several purposes: To find out what members think To get members involved in union activity To send a message to the agency To develop information To recruit new members and activists

16. Tips for conducting a survey Keep your views to yourself If a workers makes a negative comment about the union, don’t argue – explore Emphasize that what we win depends on everyone’s participation Create some spirit and visibility for the survey

17. Sample Contract Survey Questions What is the most important improvement in the next contract? Your second most important? How successful do you think that will be? What specific information about it will be most useful now? What aspect of contract issues do you want to focus on next time?

18. Combine the survey with a membership drive End the survey form with a membership application Distribute survey only to members, but encourage non-members to sign-up and be heard Show potential members what they are missing by not participating

19. One-On-One Conversation Introduce yourself and get the person’s attention. (What’s in it for me?) Ask questions and LISTEN. Educate Seek Commitment Follow-up

20. Developing a Theme What are the important issues? Are these the issues that will move our people? Will our message unite or divide the bargaining unit? Does our message resonate with the community?

21. Themes should be chosen to.... Inspire and unite the membership Define the central issues of bargaining Send a message to management Win community support and appeal to the public