Labor-Management Committees
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Transcript Labor-Management Committees
Implementing EO13522:
How FMCS Can Help Your
Forum Succeed
NFFE/IAM Region 5 Forest Service Council
Labor/Management Symposium
Reno, NV - October 27, 2010
Allison Beck, Deputy Director
Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service
Washington, DC
[email protected]
TODAY’S GOAL
1. Introduction to FMCS
2. FMCS Federal Sector Work
3. FMCS and EO 13522
4. FMCS Forum Implementation
5. Case Study: NCUA + NTEU
FMCS History
Pre-1935 and Wagner Act
Great Depression
Millions out of work
No legal right to organize or bargain
Enormous economic instability
Wagner Act 1935
Collective bargaining best means to:
Foster economic recovery
Build lasting prosperity
Facilitate “a partnership between
industry and labor in the solution of
national problems”
Taft-Hartley Act 1947
Created FMCS to
Mediate workplace disputes
Prevent strikes
Promote stable L-M relationships
FMCS Mission Expanded
Civil Service Reform Act (1978)
Resolve federal sector labor
disputes
LM Cooperation Act (1978)
Facilitate LM Committees
FMCS Today
In private and public sector:
Mediate disputes
Promote collective bargaining
Encourage stable LM relationships
Facilitate LM committees
FMCS Federal Sector Services
LM dispute resolution
Employment mediation
Training
Systems design
Interagency cooperation/collaboration
Regulatory negotiations
Examples of Agencies Served
HHS
Postal Service
DHS
Marine Corps
DOT
DOD
USDA
State
HUD
USAID
Commerce
EPA
IRS
FBI
EO 13522: A New Challenge!
1. Establish “labor-management committees …
to help identify problems and propose
solutions to better serve the public and
agency missions.”
2. Allow pre-decisional involvement in all
workplace matters to the fullest extent
practical
3. Implement permissive bargaining pilots
How Can FMCS Help You?
This Is What We Do!
1. Collective Bargaining Mediation
2. Grievance Mediation
3. Relationship Development & Training
4. Arbitration Services
5. Outreach
6. LM Committee Grants Program
7. Employment Mediation (ADR)
8. International Training & Exchange
9. FMCS Institute for Conflict Management
FMCS and EO 13522
Outreach to OPM
Collaboration with FLRA OGC
Developed 2-day training program
Day 1: FLRA rights and responsibilities
Day 2: FMCS intro to forum/relationship development
May-Sept: 16 regional programs
Agency-specific programs (15 + ongoing)
(b)(1) bargaining pilots
Forum facilitation
Relationship development!
FMCS Relationship Development
Training Programs (RDT)
LM Committees/Partnerships
LM Worksite Committees
Partners-in-Change
Relationship-by-Objectives
IBB/Problem Solving
Committee Effectiveness Training
Putting It Back Together
Facilitation
Ex: Labor-Management Committee Training
Promote regular communication
Promote joint understanding of
problems
Promote decision-making that reflects
interests of all parties
LMC Training Objectives
Understand benefits of joint committee
Develop mission for joint committee
Develop planning strategy for committee
Learn group interaction techniques:
Communications and active listening
Consensus decision making
Problem solving
Interest based bargaining/problem solving
LMC Measures of Success
Top level support from both sides
Guidelines governing: commitment,
structure, size, meeting organization and
scheduling, agenda development
Demonstrate support: meet regularly, adhere
to agenda, start with easier issues
Limit destructive behaviors: gripe sessions,
denigrating importance of issues
Ex: FMCS Facilitation Training
Convey knowledge, skills, attitudes
needed to facilitate group processes
Learn skills needed to manage LMC
Understand working styles,
personality, behavior types
Learn to plan/facilitate effective
meeting
Train in-house facilitators
Build Internal Capacity!
Ex: Committee Effectiveness Training
Task Functions:
Effective planning + meetings
Group problem solving
Consensus decision making
Communications w/constituents
Maintenance Functions:
Understanding self and others
Interpersonal skills
Group dynamics + shared leadership
Consensus Decision Making Module
LMC decides by consensus not voting
Process for LM problem solving
Everyone in group has been heard
Open discussion & sharing information
Everyone can live with and support decision
even though it may not be their first choice
Consensus Decision Making Module
METHODS
RESULTS
Imposed by Authority or
No Feedback (Assumes
Power
Leader Knows Best)
Majority Vote
Splits Group
Negotiation
Compromise
Consensus
Full Support
4
Consensus Decision Making Module:
Benefits of Consensus
Decision has been
reached by all group
members
Acceptance by constituents
will be strong
Creativity
Implementation should be
unopposed
All group members are
engaged, providing
commitment to and
satisfaction with the
process
Encourages respect,
cooperation, listening and
information sharing
Post decision ownership
and support
5
Consensus Decision Making Module:
Guidelines for Decisions
Don't agree too quickly
Don’t trade or bargain
Share information and
ideas
Don’t vote
Treat differences as
strengths
Create a solution that will
be actively supported by
everyone
Test for consensus
Listen to others
Offer alternatives
Be open to ideas of
others
8
Consensus Decision Making Module:
Meeting Design
Round tables and mixed seating
Common understanding of the issue
Agreed upon consensus guidelines
Practice testing for consensus
Initial use of facilitator
15
Consensus Decision Making Module:
Has Consensus Been Reached?
“Since nobody’s saying
anything, I guess we
have consensus.”
“I don’t particularly
agree, but if that is what
the team wants, I won’t
stand in the way.”
“Everybody in the group
seemed comfortable, so
I guess that’s what
they’ve decided.”
9
CONSENSUS IS
REACHED WHEN YOU
CAN ANSWER…YES:
Can Everyone
Live With
The Decision?
Has Everyone
Been Heard?
Will Everyone
Support the Decision?
10
Consensus Decision Making Module:
Summary of Consensus Benefits
Commitment
Creativity
Ownership
Satisfaction
17
A Case Study: NCUA + NTEU Forum
National Partnership Agreement signed by
NCUA Chairman + NTEU National President
Regular meetings: LMF + (b)(1) pilot
Neutral location (FMCS) w/ facilitator
Agenda in advance
Much information sharing
Q & A welcomed + encouraged
On-going commitment to training
FMCS Services for Forum Success
Forum Design:
Membership
Structure
Ground rules
Logistics
Resources
Forum Functioning:
LMC, CET, RDT
Facilitation
IBB/Problem Solving
Consensus
Brainstorming
Communications
LET US HELP YOU SUCCEED!