Labor contract strategies produce favorable results for negotiations

The Problem

Open Options has worked with a variety of organizations in the field of labor contract negotiations. Typically, our involvement begins 6 months to 1 year prior to contract expiry.

The Process

Operational managers and the senior executive group are engaged to determine preferences for all stakeholders in the negotiation process. We then model the development of an initial strategy and subsequently update the model, if necessary, as the negotiations proceed.

The Solution

In every case, our clients have reported greater insights through the process and in many cases previously unexpected positive results were achieved. These included: a settlement when management thought a strike could not be averted; dismissal of a confrontational local union leader by the national union, union acceptance of an early management offer, and union acceptance of a two-tier wage structure leading to a significant improvement in the overall manufacturing cost structure.