Tennessee Local 56 Prepares for Contract Talks

Local 56 Bargaining Committee members prepare for upcoming negotiations with Mueller. Left to right, W3 Instructor Henry Bagwell, Robert Steele, Randy Vaughn, Keith McFarland, Bobby Hill and Roger Godfrey.

To get ready for upcoming negotiations with Mueller Water Products in Chattanooga, TN, Local 56 Negotiating Committee members participated in a rigorous week of training in the William W. Winpisinger Education & Technology Center’s popular Negotiation Preparation for Bargaining Committees class.

The course provides bargaining committees with the skills and tools needed to deliver the best possible contract for their membership. Customized to meet the needs of the specific bargaining unit, committee members learn strategic planning and bargaining strategies, contract costing, how to draft contract language and present proposals, and how to develop a communications and member mobilization plan, among other valuable training.

“The Negotiation Prep class not only helps our members negotiate better contracts,” said District 711 Business Representative Keith McFarland, “it also has the potential to be one of our best organizing tools.”

IAM members at Mueller Water Products manufacture water valves. Their contract is set to expire September 12, 2010.

Share and Follow: