Michigan IAM Local W283 Completes IAM Field Negotiation Prep Class

Members of the IAM Local W283 Bargaining Committee take part in the IAM’s new Negotiation Preparation Field Program. Pictured left to right: Local W283 Bargaining Committee members IAM District W3 Directing Business Representative Jere McFalda, Ryan (Mike) Dault, Denise Whitlow, Ken Kaarto, Jay Merrill, along with IAM Special Representatives Kevin Murch and Geny Ulloa.

Members of the IAM Local W283 Bargaining Committee didn’t have to go far in order to take part in their union’s specialized training program for upcoming contract negotiations. Instead of traveling from L’Anse, MI to the IAM’s William W. Winpisinger (WWW) Education and Technology Center in Hollywood, MD, the program came to them.

The one-week training is a part of the IAM’s new Negotiation Preparation Field Program.

In an effort to support and augment its highly-successful Negotiation Preparation for Bargaining Committees Program, currently held at the center, WWW rolled out the new field training program. The program offers a more flexible format for negotiating committees, stewards and members. It is not designed to replace the Winpisinger-based Negotiation Prep program, but can accommodate for situations where in the field negotiations preparation is the better option.

The Local W283 Bargaining Committee spent a week learning, planning and developing a constructive and unified approach to their upcoming negotiations with building material-maker CertainTeed.

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 – plus 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.

 

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