Intro to the Top Ten Tips...

Each month, Tim posts his 'Top Ten Tips' for HR practitioners on various subjects. This month's subject is 'Collective Bargaining...now you have the deal, how do you make it work?'. A list of subjects for forthcoming months and links to previous subjects can be found at the bottom of this page.

Ensure that all the management parties not directly involved in final negotiation are brought up to speed e.g. Finance; Pension & Benefits Planning; Health & Safety;

Give these parties the logic/reasons for any aspect of the agreed deal that was different from their expectations. Determine the practical implications, if any;

Confirm the communications strategy, timing, themes/messages and implementation for the different audiences;

Review the things that went well after the last deal was negotiated and those things that did not (e.g. communications to the 'shop floor'). See if any practical lessons can be implemented now;

Ensure that the supervisory staff are fully informed of any language or practise changes to items in the new Agreement that affect their sphere of influence;

Agree with Union Management on a timetable for any matters that were left unscheduled as part of the 'deal';

Be prepared to answer questions from the non-union workforce concerning the highlights and details of the new Agreement. Remember...it will become a public document;

Lay out the action steps that were negotiated to deal with new matters in the new Agreement. Get informal buy-in from Management and Labour representatives before proceeding to actual implementation;

Take the time after the dust has settled to reflect on those items that went well in the total bargaining process and those that did not. Be fairly critical of your own contribution and lessons which can be learnt for the next time;

Act today as you want to act for the whole timeframe of this Collective Bargaining Agreement. It affects your employees and customers alike.

Timetable 2000/2001 ... Top Ten Tips

Month	Subject
October 2001	How to plan strategically for downsizing, maintaining HR's credibility and employee loyalty
September 2001	Collective Bargaining...now you have the deal, how do you make it work?
August 2001	Managing Consulting Costs...how to keep hold of the reins and avoid surprises
July 2001	Expatriate Career Assignments...how to manage the risk and improve the odds of a 'win/win' for employee and employer
June 2001	Part Two of 'Browsers' Choices'... some tips on how to migrate successfully from 'A' to 'B' in a prudent, yet urgent, manner
May 2001	Part One of 'Browsers' Choices'... a summary of the 'new & old world' of HR business
April 2001	Managing promises and expectations during the "R" word
March 2001	'High Potential' Employees...how to ensure they don't sit out the game, then leave
February 2001	How to write really useful Job Descriptions...connecting the business dots
January 2001	Outsourcing...the 'Catch 22' for HR Managers
December	Spreading scarce bonus/incentive dollars...best bang for the buck
November	Ethical Practices in Performance Appraisal & Related Salary Admin
October	Stock Option Plan Design in private companies heading for an 'IPO'
September	Key Lessons in 'Downsizing'...maintaining business & employee relationships under difficult circumstances
August	Grievance management in unionized and non-unionized workplaces
July	Business Planning in HR...how to flex HR's muscle
June	Settling post-termination disputes; mutual gains
May	360° Feedback...is it right for you?
April	Harassment in the Workplace...practical considerations
March	Interpersonal Conflict in the Workplace