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TIMED MEDIATION- THE 48- HOUR NEGOTIATIONS SOLUTION. WHAT IS TIMED MEDIATION?. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING ISSUES ORIENTED JOINT PROBLEM SOLVING MEDIATOR OVERSIGHT SELF-IMPOSED 48-HOUR DEADLINE. HAS IT WORKED?. January 2001- 13 of 14 were successful December 2001- 26 of 27 were successful.
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WHAT IS TIMED MEDIATION? • COLLECTIVE BARGAINING • ISSUES ORIENTED • JOINT PROBLEM SOLVING • MEDIATOR OVERSIGHT • SELF-IMPOSED 48-HOUR DEADLINE
HAS IT WORKED? • January 2001- 13 of 14 were successful • December 2001- 26 of 27 were successful
THE PLAYERS • SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS • UNION MEMBERS • PA BUREAU OF MEDIATION MEDIATORS • CHIEF NEGOTIATORS • ADMINISTRATORS
WHY TIMED MEDIATION? • Timed Mediation can greatly reduce the time required to negotiate. • Negotiations are time-limited and therefore very much to the point. • Time spent posturing is eliminated. • Mediators keep the process on track. • All the players are present. • Relationships have typically improved.
THE PROCESS • FIRST MEDIATOR VISIT • INVITE THE MEDIATORS TO EXPLAIN THE PROCESS • BOARD/UNION DECISION TO GO THE NEXT STEP • PREPARATION OF ISSUES LIST • SECOND MEDIATOR VISIT • PRESENT ISSUES TO OTHER PARTY • BOARD/UNION DECISION TO GO TO TM • SET DATE AND SITE
THE PROCESS • PREPARE FOR NEGOTIATIONS • Business manager/Superintendent • Executive sessions- share info/strategize • TRAVEL TO SITE (EARLY EVENING) • HORS D’HOEURVES-ALL PARTICIPANTS • DINNER (Seating arrangement) • BEGIN NEGOTIATIONS • Mediator chooses order of issues • Discussion/Caucus/Agreement/Commit to writing/Sign • CONTINUE WITH EACH ISSUE
THE PROCESS • ADJOURN FROM THE SESSION/JOINT SNACKS • SLEEP AT MOTEL • JOINT BREAKFAST • RECONVENE NEGOTIATIONS • SUSPEND FOR MEALS • TOUGH ISSUES- CAUCUS FOR MEDIATOR-SELECTED MEMBERS ONLY • ADJOURN FOR SECOND NIGHT/SNACKS • SAME AS PREVIOUS DAY • END NEGOTIATIONS AFTER 48-HOURS
THEN WHAT? • IF SUCCESSFUL- REJOICE, YOU’RE DONE • IF UNSUCCESSFUL- ALL BETS ARE OFF. START TRADITIONAL NEGOTIATIONS
PRO’s & CON’s • PRO’S • LIMITED ISSUES • LIMITED TIMEFRAME • ACCENTUATES NEGOTIATION/ELIMINATES POSTURING • EVERYONE TALKS (vs. Chief negotiator only) • INFORMAL • MEDIATORS KEEP THE PROCESS ON TRACK • IMPROVED RELATIONS THROUGH GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF ISSUES & TIME SPENT • NOTHING LOST BY TRYING
PRO’s & CON’s • CON’S • PREPARATION TIME IS LIMITED • PRESSURE ON BUSINESS MANAGER/SUPERINTENDENT • NOT RECOMMENDED IF THERE IS NO GIVE ON ONE OR MORE ISSUES • (A lot of eating in one weekend-Pro or Con?)
TIME TABLE • JANUARY 2001 • 16TH- BOARD STRATEGY MEETING WITH CHIEF NEGOTIATOR • 30TH- MEDIATORS PRESENTED TIMED MEDIATION TO BOARD/UNION- Each party decided to consider TM • FEBRUARY • 6TH- BOARD/ADMIN DEVELOPED ISSUES LIST • 7TH- JOINT MEETING W/ MEDIATORS • Exchanged lists of issues • Decided to accept/reject TM • Set TM weekend date and sight • 23RD, 6 PM-25TH- 4PM- TIMED MEDIATION
BOARD 8 ISSUES TEACHERS 12 ISSUES THE ISSUES
THE NEGOTIATIONS • MUCH DIFFERENT THAN TRADITIONAL • MORE PLAYERS GIVING INPUT • MORE PERSPECTIVES RESULTED • GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF EACH OTHER’S POSITION • NO POSTURING • MEDIATOR ASSISTED • REASONABLY FAST PROGRESS • CHEERING AFTER EACH ISSUE PUT TO REST • SOME ISSUES WERE DROPPED
THE NEGOTIATIONS • EVENTUALLY THE TOUGH ISSUES CAME ON THE TABLE • MORE AND EXTENDED CAUCUSING • SPECIAL CAUCUSING • SOME FRUSTRATION • MOVEMENT OCCURRED • ALL ISSUES SUCCESSFULLY NEGOTIATED (IN 44 HOURS) • Participants hugged and rejoiced
SHOULD MY DISTRICT TRY T.M. • RELATIONSHIP OF TRUST • WILLINGNESS TO LIMIT THE ISSUES • SOME DISTRICTS WITH A HISTORY OF HEATED NEGOTIATIONS HAVE SUCCEEDED
WOULD WELLSBORO DO IT AGAIN? • YES • The time savings were worth it (despite the pressured preparations) • Greater trust was established • Greater understanding resulted • Elimination of both posturing and reliance on a chief spokesman tremendously improved the process and was refreshing
WHO TO CONTACT: • Pennsylvania Bureau of Mediation Department of Labor & Industry (717) 787-2803