Labour and
Management Can and Do Live in Peace
Almost every
time you hear about something involving labour and management - inevitably
the news is bad - a strike, lockout, mass layoff, contentious organizing
drive, litigation...you name it. What never gets much air time is the fact
that in many, many instances, labour and management live in relative peace
with few problems. Examples of this are found in every industry with
a wide variety of different unions and in large and small businesses.
It's Not
That Complicated
Peaceful co-existence
does not come about as result of any complex formula-it's all very simple
but can take some hard work. Consultants and advisors can help you on your
way there by providing support, training and information but at the end
of the day, you can't buy peace or sell it - it's up to the people involved.
Even the
Most Difficult Relationships can Change
Believe us,
we've seen some of the worst, the most contentious labour management relationships
turn around. It is possible and once it begins to happen, it happens quickly.
But you've gotta really want it.
The "System"
is Not Oriented Toward Peace
Almost everything
about labour relations is designed to keep labour and management in a state
of war or at least, in a state of contained aggression. Every formal venue
for dispute resolution in this area inevitably leads to litigation. If
you want peace, you've got to look beyond the system.
You've Got
to Live It To Understand It
There are thousands
of "experts" in this field. Many of them have never actually experienced
what it's like to be a worker or a supervisor or a business owner
or a union local rep. You tend to get a lot of theory but very little practical
stuff. We believe that the best problem-solvers in this area are those
who have learned through real life experience. Some of the best problem
solvers we've met are shop floor people workers, supervisors, union reps
- they haven't even heard of the theory but they know what works and what
it takes to make it work.
It Shouldn't
Cost a Fortune
Outside help
in this area has historically been very expensive. This has the effect
of making help inaccessible to many smaller businesses and union locals
- often the people who need it the most are those who can't afford it.
We are out to change that. Our fee structure is geared towards making our
services accessible to even the smallest organizations.
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