Posted by:
Mary Anne
Research/tech assistance org
Providence, RI

Topic:
Thanks for the Strategies

Message:
Sally, I really appreciated the strategies you have suggested for beginning work between district and union. It's easy to say you must build trust and a common vision, and not always easy to understand where to begin.

I particularly liked your suggestion of finding time, resources, and opprotunities to attend conferences and workshops together. In my own work, I have experienced the positive effects of building personal relationships in this way...and from those relationships grows the trust needed to compromise and make difficult decisions together. Additionally, this strategy provides an opportunity to hear about "what works" together and begin a conversation around how to incorporate this into the context of the mutual organization.

The idea of considering a neutral party to negotiate questions together is also intriguing. So many times the negotiator is retained for contract/pay issues...why not when things are going well to create a plan to move forward?!

Thanks for your insights.

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