Calgary Needs To Negotiate More Effectively
May 31st, 2007 posted by MtbriderThe question remains, what has been learned by all this? In 2001, transit workers went on strike for 49 days. This time was a close call, and may still be.
Negotiations, if effective, should not allow contract talks to reach this boiling point.
As you recall, the beginning of the month brought ads in newspapers with each side slamming the other in turn– a prime example of a toddler’s “She hit me first” excuse.
Both accused the other of not informing each other’s member, be it council or union workers, of critical information.
Does this remind anyone else of traveling on an hour ride with two wide awake and antsy toddlers in a back seat?
Both sides are well past the age of such shenanigans. It would be nice if the people of this city would have an adult and grown up example set by the city itself. Contract talks are just that: contract talks. They are not supposed to become personal attacks. They are about the city working out a deal with a union – neither of which qualify as living breathing individuals. They are both businesses (government is a business).
The proverbial name-callings were a sad example of the state this city’s gone too, and it’s unions are just as guilty. And we all know that just because you say you’re sorry, it’s not always meant and it doesn’t make the damage go away.
Perhaps next time, the grown ups should take over the talk. Toddlers don’t have the vocabulary and are too emotional to deal with such grown up issues. Keep the he-said, she-said out of it. Put the personal agendas aside. And just deal with the real issues at hand.
Source: http://calsun.canoe.ca/News/Alberta/2007/05/31/4222452-sun.html
