Labor Negotiations

Instinct is often not consistent with the best solution.  More than in any other area, we have found that the arguments that work in labor confrontations can defy conventional wisdom.  The first instinct is usually to attack, but the best result often comes from a more conciliatory approach.  And, in the context of a labor negotiation, “winning” often means more than getting the best short-term contract.  We understand that each labor negotiation is only the latest and most public step in a long-term relationship between management and employees, and so we approach labor negotiations with a focus on both the short- and long-term implications of our recommendations.

The focus is on your stakeholders.  We know labor discord has few real winners.  Our job is to make sure your priorities are reflected in the outcome and that you are left in a stronger and more secure position than before the dispute began.  We will tell you how best to communicate a “business as usual” message to your customers, shareholders and Board, and how to identify and minimize any negative behavior or feelings that might arise.  We will take the temperature of employees and/or unaffected union members to gauge the most effective language and messages to strengthen your arguments, resolve the issue quickly and satisfy as many parties as possible.  And we will do it all with the speed and nimbleness of an agency used to dealing with crisis situations that demand second-to-second reactions and immediate results.