--The best union strategy for winning a contract is, and always has
been, "no contract, no work."
Both of these statements are false but represent very commonly held
beliefs about contract negotiations. While some of your members
may think there is a magic wand that a shrewd and skilled
negotiator uses to get management to agree to wage increases and
improved benefits, the truth is that there isn't any magic wand
and management gives up only as much as it thinks it has to.
Collective bargaining is a power relationship and the unity of our
membership is the most important source of power we have as a
union. Thus, an organized and educated membership taking action
can help convince management to give up more than they had planned
to.
Good contracts are won in the workplace, not merely at the
bargaining table. While the bargaining committee is in
negotiations with the company, it is essential that the message the
company hears from the workplace backs up the positions taken by
the negotiating committee.
Through one-on-one contacts and collective actions, mobilization
informs and involves every member in negotiations. In addition to
building the power of the local union, this can help to minimize
anxiety and frustration members may feel as the contract expiration
date approaches.
Mobilization and bargaining move along parallel timelines.
Mobilization activities are aimed to complement and support what is
going on at the bargaining table.
The mobilization team should sit down several months prior to the
first day of bargaining to lay out a mobilization plan. You can't
plan everything early but there are several steps to take to ensure
a successful contract mobilization.
First, is your mobilization committee representative of the
workforce? Second, do you need to beef up your internal organizing
efforts so you have a united and supportive membership? Third,
who's on the bargaining committee and what can they add to your
mobilization discussions and ideas?
You might want to work with the negotiating committee to develop a
brief bargaining survey which your one-on-one network distributes and collects. Your survey could be as simple as this:
What issues do you think are most important? (Pick the top five.)
__pay
__sick leave
__promotions
__improved working conditions
__fairer treatment
__health insurance
__annual leave
__job security
__retirement
__parental leave
__health & safety
__to have a say in what happens at work
__other:_______________
If you have an indications about issues, you can not only start the
educational process for yourself and the committee, but you can
develop draft one-on-one education pieces for use later. The
committee can discuss various collective actions for the opening
day of bargaining. What about a slogan for this round of
negotiations? Does the membership know about the options at
contract expiration?
This is also a good time to do some corporate research on your
employer: Examine your annual report as well as other financial
information; identify employer pressure points such as major
customers, regulatory issues, etc.
(For a complete packet of information on How to Do Corporate Research on Your Employer, contact the Research and Education Department.) Also, get other contracts with your employer and other contracts in the same industry or product line for comparison purposes. (The Research & Education Department can help here too.)
Once bargaining begins, it is critical that the mobilization
committee and the bargaining committee stay in close communication.
Each should know what the other is doing. The bargaining committee
should view mobilization as a resource and part of the overall
strategy to get a good contract.
Remember these pointers to help facilitate communication between
mobilizers and bargainers, and help prepare everyone for success:
1. Meet with the bargaining chairperson and committee early on to
discuss mobilization and its role. Do not assume the bargaining
committee understands the role and goals of mobilization.
2. Discuss and plan how you will stay in touch during
negotiations; i.e. daily meetings, phone calls, etc.
3. Invite the negotiating committee to participate in developing
the initial mobilization plan. They may have some ideas about what
issues are likely to be sticking points.
4. Consider requesting training by the Research & Education
Department on strategic planning and mobilization. Contact your
International Representative or Regional Director for information.
For more information on How to Mobilize, contact:
OCAW Research & Education Dept.
P.O. Box 281200
Lakewood, CO 80228-8200.