Wisconsin Local Ready for John Deere Talks

Front row, left to right: Local 873 Committee Member Steve Thiede, District 10 Business Representative Ben Elizondo, Local 873 President Brian Brath. Back row, left to right: Local 837 Committee Chairman Joseph Terlisner, Local 873 Committee Member Joel Kollath, Local 873 Committee Member Dennis Beske

In preparation for upcoming contract talks with John Deere Horicon Works, the members of Local 873’s Negotiating Committee completed an intense week of training in the Negotiation Preparation for Bargaining Committees program at the William W. Winpisinger Education & Technology Center in Hollywood, MD.

“The ability of the Winpisinger Center and the Strategic Resources Department to develop and deliver a customized training program designed to meet our particular needs, in a very short period of time, is outstanding to say the least,” said District 10 Business Representative Benito Elizondo. “It gave us an opportunity to develop a comprehensive strategic plan to secure a fair and equitable contract for all of our members at John Deere Horicon.”

After reviewing the results of a membership survey, the Committee began identifying issues and developing a bargaining agenda. Their skills were put to the test during the simulated bargaining session using interest-based bargaining.

The staff of the Winpisinger Center and Strategic Resources Department at IAM Headquarters customizes each Negotiation Preparation program for the specific contract, bargaining relationship and economic situation. The program is designed to provide bargaining committees with the skills and tools they need to deliver the best possible contract for the membership.

IAM members at John Deere in Horicon, WI, manufacture a wide variety of agri-business equipment. Their agreement expires on September 30, 2010.

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