How to Start Labor Union Negotiations

Any union member who wants better wages, working conditions, or benefits can raise concerns to their union leadership. However, making changes doesn’t stop there because negotiations can be complex and lengthy. The success of labor negotiations relies on good leaders, solid communication, and a well-organized, informed membership.

To start labor union negotiations, members need to unify their positions, clearly communicate their goals to union leadership, and give everyone an opportunity to share their positions through organized voting and discussions.

Whether you’re a union leader getting ready for negotiations or a member advocating for change, understanding the negotiation process is important. Platforms like ElectionBuddy can help ensure every voice is heard through union voting so leadership can properly negotiate on their members’ behalf. 

Setting Union Goals 

What changes do you, as a union member, want to see? The first major step in any labor union negotiation is setting intention. 

Before negotiating with employers, union members should come together and discuss what goals they’d like to achieve. These might be better pay, more benefits, or safer working conditions. The key is to make sure everyone has a chance to share their thoughts so the goals are representative of the entire union.

Once you make a list of priorities, try to figure out which are non-negotiable and which areas might have some flexibility among your union membership. Depending on the organization and its rules, members may vote for their top priorities. This can help the bargaining team know where to begin.

Choosing Your Bargaining Team

When it comes time to negotiate, your bargaining team is at the forefront of those critical conversations. How they are chosen varies by union and organization.

Often, the union’s bargaining team is picked through a process outlined in their constitution and bylaws. Employers will also choose a management team to represent them at the negotiating table.

For unions, this team should represent the interests of the entire membership, so it’s important to pick people who are ‘in the know’ about workplace issues, are great negotiators, and trusted by their peers. Ideally, the team will be a mix of leadership, experienced workers, and other members who are experts in areas like wages and benefits.

So, how are labor unions successful? Transparency is critical. Union members should feel confident that their voices are heard and that leadership is advocating on their behalf. Using a voting platform like ElectionBuddy can keep the process of selecting the team fair and inclusive of member opinions.

The Negotiations Process

The negotiation process is where the real work happens. The bargaining team sits down with management to discuss the union’s goals. Both sides will look over the current collective bargaining agreement, and the bargaining team will then discuss their demands.

From there, both will look for common ground, exchanging proposals and counteroffers. This can take awhile, so it requires plenty of patience and clear communication from both sides. Throughout the process, union members should be informed and have the knowledge to make good decisions and vote on issues.

Streamlining the Process

Overwhelmed at the thought of engaging in negotiations as a union? ElectionBuddy can help streamline the process. Whether setting goals, picking a bargaining team, or finalizing agreements, ElectionBuddy makes it easy to collect opinions and preferences. 

The ElectionBuddy platform is user-friendly, secure, and follows the Department of Labor’s guidelines. Whether you need to handle leadership votes, contract ratifications, strike votes, or surveys, it offers a variety of voting methods. Plus, it’s easy to engage members through text or emails, and offer remote and on-site voting options to boost voter turnout.