EB Negotiations - 9 day fortnight or 19 day month?

[Marnie.L]

I'll soon be looking at EB Negotiations with a view to moving from a 9 day fortnight to a 19 day month. The employees have long been wedded to a 9 day fortnight (working 8.44hrs per day to achieve this) however with increasing customer demands and expectations, we need to be more productive and cut the down time. Has anyone sucsessfully negotiated such as change and what were the game changing points?
I'd be interested to know how the change was "sold".
Any feedback would be very welcome.

[Qld IR Consultant]

Well first question is are you negotiating with a union involved or directly with employees?....This crucial because it doesn't matter what you want to sell it all comes down to how you communicate it.

[Marnie.L]

Well first question is are you negotiating with a union involved or directly with employees?....This crucial because it doesn't matter what you want to sell it all comes down to how you communicate it.

First step will be to negotiate with the Union before employees are approached, however both were notified that this would be a future intention at the last negotiations, and neither were too please about the change.

[Qld IR Consultant]

Marnie, the key to achieving gains in bargaining when doing it with a union is purely in communication. You need to ensure that your bargaining strategy is robust, and communication strategy compliments each step of the negotiation process. Remember the only advantage they have is their ability to communicate better with your employees than what you do.....

Communicate clearly, truthfully and often. Make sure the employees are fully aware of the advantages and disadvantages of any proposal. Make sure they clearly understand what you are trying to achieve with this initiative.

And always remember one crucial factor....The "union" is not the officials sitting at the table, it the members, members who are your employees. Don't get sucked into thinking that the official has to agree with it before the employees do because that is a very bad urban myth.

[Marnie.L]

Marnie, the key to achieving gains in bargaining when doing it with a union is purely in communication. You need to ensure that your bargaining strategy is robust, and communication strategy compliments each step of the negotiation process. Remember the only advantage they have is their ability to communicate better with your employees than what you do.....

Communicate clearly, truthfully and often. Make sure the employees are fully aware of the advantages and disadvantages of any proposal. Make sure they clearly understand what you are trying to achieve with this initiative.

And always remember one crucial factor....The "union" is not the officials sitting at the table, it the members, members who are your employees. Don't get sucked into thinking that the official has to agree with it before the employees do because that is a very bad urban myth.

Thanks for the advice, and I agree, effective communication is the key.