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| The IAM Local 289 Negotiating Committee recently completed the Negotiation Preparation Program at the Winpisinger Center in Hollywood, MD. First row, from left: Negotiating Committee members Clay Procter, Greg Domingues and Andy Kulp. Second row: President Bill Robey, Negotiating Committee member Robert Peters and District 160 Business Representative Paul Miller. |
The negotiating committee for IAM Local 289, along with District 160 staff, participated in the Negotiation Preparation for Bargaining Committees program at the William W. Winpisinger Center in Hollywood, MD.
The committee represents waterfront dock employees at SSA Terminals in Seattle who maintain cranes that load and unload ships, equipment that moves the containers on the dock and chassis for the containers.
The week-long Negotiation Preparation class included training in drafting contract language, presenting proposals, analyzing the company’s strengths and weakness, communications and identifying a broad array of potential tactics.
Recognizing that this promises to be a difficult round of negotiations, the committee strategized to learn from bargaining history, map a new direction for relations with the company, insert stronger contract language, improve working conditions and build solidarity in the bargaining unit.
“This was an intense and productive week at the Winpisinger Center,” said Local 289 President Bill Robey. “This training gave us the opportunity to assemble and develop a detailed plan to secure the best contract possible.”
“The committee worked hard, and they leave the Winpisinger Center better prepared to advance the needs of our members at SSA Terminals,” said District 160 Business Representative Paul Miller.
The current contract with SSA Terminals expires June 30, 2016.
