In an effort to reinvent government, relationships
between labor and management are changing. Many former
adversaries have “turned the corner” and now work
together as a team with a common purpose and vision...
“making government work better”.
In October 1993, President Clinton signed Executive Order
12871 which created the National Partnership Council to
promote the formation of labor-management partnerships
throughout the government. The preamble of the Executive
Order begins:
“The involvement of Federal Government employees and
their union representatives is essential to achieving the
national Performance Review's government reform objectives.
Only by changing the nature of Federal Labor-Management
relations so that managers, employees, and employee's
elected union representatives serve as partners will it be
possible to design and implement comprehensive changes
necessary to reform government. Labor-Management
partnerships will champion change in Federal Government
agencies to transform them into organizations capable of
delivering the highest quality services to the American
People.”
Partnerships vary by organization, but one characteristic
exists in all - a changed labor- management relationship. As
this relationship matures, collaborative problem solving
becomes the preferred method of resolving workplace issues.
It is through this changed behavior and attitude that
partnerships thrive.
A successful partnership is characterized by:
An environment that respects and values all
employees.
A willingness to share power.
Respect and trust for all or the desire to work to
this goal.
Open and candid sharing of information.
Joint decision making on issues of common concern and
agreement reached through consensus.
Cooperation even though some may disagree on specific
issues.
Patience for and commitment to partnership.
Topical
Overview - Reaffirmation of
Labor-Management Partnerships
