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Retaining hard-fought-for benefits at the bargaining table takes lots of determination.
The job can be made easier if you've kept up with long-term member education, building support within the community and educating the public on the issues.
The first step is to build solidarity among your members and the community so you have support for your position well before contract talks begin.
Communicate quickly with members, mobilizing them through e-mails, newsletters and web site.
- Involve members and built publicity through informational pickets and other mobilizations.
- Boost public support by visiting editorial boards and community meetings and placing public service announcements on local radio stations.
- Form coalitions with other unions that have contracts with the employer and hold joint actions with them.
Once at the table
- Maintain member mobilization throughout negotiations to ensure employers understand the depth of workers' support for the union's bargaining stands.
- Let the employer know early on the union will stand firm on the central issue of cost shifting to employees and remain true to that commitment.
- Identify areas where cost savings can be achieved while maintaining benefits and not placing the cost burden on the workers.
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