Members of the IAM Local 153 Bargaining Committee take part in a bargaining simulation with William W. Winpisinger (WWW) Director Chris Wagoner, right, playing the role of the company. The exercise – the highlight of WWW’s Negotiation Preparation for Bargaining Committees Program – is designed to give bargaining committees a realistic taste of the frequently intense atmosphere at the bargaining table. Pictured left to right: Local 153 Bargaining Committee members Lynn Lamb, Debra Long, Jay Judge and Peggy Huff (Not pictured: Cammy Brewer).
Members of the Indiana IAM Local 153 Bargaining Committee were among the latest groups to complete the Negotiation Preparation for Bargaining Committees Program at the William W. Winpisinger (WWW) Education and Technology Center in Hollywood, MD.
The group spent a week learning, planning and developing a constructive and unified approach to their upcoming negotiations with Grote Industries in Madison, IN.
“Having the opportunity to work with WWW educators and departmental staff from the Grand Lodge and Midwest Territory in planning and strategizing the best ways to ensure Local 153 members at Grote have the best contract is a huge benefit to the membership,” said IAM District 90 Assistant Directing Business Representative Gerald Stone. “Local 153 members are preparing to go into negotiations in a ‘right-to-work’ state. That, alone, comes with its own challenges. Having a sound strategy will be key to negotiating a strong contract.”
As part of the program’s customized training modules, the bargaining committee worked together to produce tools and plans specific to their members and upcoming negotiation. Training topics included how to draft contract language, present proposals, analyze the company’s strengths and weaknesses, mobilize and communicate with members – and more.
The week culminated in a bargaining simulation – the highlight of the program – designed to give the bargaining committee a realistic taste of the frequently intense atmosphere at the bargaining table.
The Local 153 bargaining unit is composed of approximately 200 members who manufacture LED lights and lighting products for heavy duty trucks, trailers, vocational and passenger vehicles. The current contract expires November 20, 2016.
For instant updates on the upcoming Local 153 negotiations, text “IAMGrote” to 55000 to receive text message updates to your mobile phone (standard message and data rates may apply).
