Labor-Management
Cooperation in Action:
The Relationship by Objective Program
Relations
by Objectives (RBO), is designed to eliminate factors that cause
breakdowns in negotiations and prolong strikes. RBO focuses on inter-group
team building, labor-management mediation, confrontation meetings,
coaching, and other developmental approaches.
The
program is facilitated by mediators and takes place at a neutral,
off-site location for three intensive days. Ten to fifteen members
of the union and management (a maximum of 30 participants) attend
the sessions. Separate and joint sessions are held until neutral
problems and goal statements are clarified, covering such subjects
as communication, grievance handling, supervisor and steward training,
and attitudes and positions of both the union and management. Since
its inception, the RBO program has had positive results, including
improved stability in the parties' relationships, less grievance
activity, improved production and plant morale, and smoother contract
negotiations after the program.
Relations
by Objective
has met with tremendous success at the following institutions:
- Consolidated
Edison / Local 1-2
- Brookdale
Hospital / Local 1199
- United
Presbyterian Hospital / Nurses Guild
- Mercy
Hospital / Local 1199
- Blue Cross
Blue Shield / UAW Local 2500
