IAM Local 1227/District 90 Bargaining Committee members completed the Negotiation Prep class at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in Hollywood, MD, prior to entering contract talks with Regal-Beloit. Front row from left: William (Joey) Jessen and Gary Howard. Back row from left: IAM District 90 Directing Business Rep. Tony Wickersham, Scott Jessen and Joe Pancek.
Local 1227 Negotiating Committee members from Regal-Beloit in Valparaiso, IN recently completed the Negotiating Preparation for Bargaining Committees Program at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in Hollywood, MD.
The week-long Negotiating Preparation class included training in drafting contract language, presenting proposals, analyzing the company’s strengths and weaknesses and identifying a broad array of potential tactics.
“Negotiating prep is the type of training that is needed for our negotiating committees,” said District 90 Directing Business Representative Tony Wickersham. “Points such as structured communications with our members, company analysis, proposal writing and negotiating simulations are instrumental in order for the committee to understand all aspects of the negotiation process.”
“Negotiation preparation is a must have for future contracts,” said Local 1227 President and Committee member Joey Jessen. The demanding schedule of the class made it “well worth the long days and nights to learn how to successfully run negotiations.”
“I want to thank the instructors at the Winpisinger Center along with the other departments within the IAM that helped in our preparations,” said Wickersham. “The work the committee has done in this class will set the stage for what we hope to be a productive negotiation for our members.”
The Local 1227 members in Valparaiso manufacture and service bearings, couplings, gearing, drive components, and conveyer systems. The current contract expires July 2, 2016.
