The Bargaining Committee from IAM Local Lodge 1681 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada are better prepared for their upcoming negotiations with Servisair thanks to a week of intensive preparations at the IAM’s William W. Winpisinger Education Center that included simulated bargaining sessions.
The 130 IAM members at Servisair provide airport services at the Edmonton International Airport to US Airways, Canadian North, Air North and numerous other air carriers. The current contract expires July 19, 2012.
The training was part of the Winpisinger Center’s Negotiation Preparation for Bargaining Committees class, which guides committees in drafting contract language, presenting proposals, analyzing the company’s strengths and other collective bargaining tactics.
The week culminated in a simulated bargaining session with Winpisinger Center Instructors Richard Suarez and Julie Frietchen filling the role of management negotiators.
“It doesn’t seem like a simulation,” said District 140 General Chairperson Keith Aiken. “It’s tough, and you feel the same as you do in actual negotiations. It’s quite realistic. The Committee had the opportunity to try out some of the memberships’ proposals in a realistic bargaining environment.
“Richard and Julie did a great job of acting the role of tough company negotiators,” said Aiken. “The newly-elected members of the Committee now have a feel for what it’s like at the table. The Committee developed a plan and strategy for these negotiations during our week, and we’re ready to aggressively pursue the issues that matter most to the membership.”
