The Mickus Group Web Site 10-2011

The Mickus Group believes that the need for positive employee relations does

not cease to exist when a union represents your employees. The fact is that

even unionized employees are still your employees -- they need to continue to

work with and for you, not for the union. For any organization that faces

a labor relationship for the first time, it is important to establish such

practices and preventive measures from day one of union representation.

Collective Bargaining Assistance

The process of collective bargaining can often be adversarial by nature. To assist management through this difficult process, The Mickus Group frequently provides consulting services to management ranging from pre-negotiations preparation through the final implementation of any new agreement that may be reached. The in-depth "behind the scenes" services provided by The Mickus Group include development of bargaining strategies, assessment and development of bargaining objectives, preparation of the negotiating committee, encouraging and supporting internal dialogue with employees, development of a comprehensive strike plan, and/or support for managers and supervisors to assure the proper interpretation and application of any final contract that may be negotiated. Recognizing that each client may have different objectives in its negotiations and relationship with an existing union, The Mickus Group carefully works with an employer to ensure that the best possible course of actions is followed to assist in meeting those objectives.

Pre-Negotiations Workshops

To prepare an organization, including its key leaders, the negotiations team, support staff, and the management team, The Mickus Group offers specially tailored workshops for its clients that will assist and prepare the entire management team in preparations for bargaining, the development of bargaining tactics and efforts, data collection and analysis, negotiation "basics" and dynamics, the logistics of negotiations, and the legal considerations and actions necessary for the entire management team to successfully act during the process to achieve successful bargaining results. Each workshop, or combination of workshops, is tailored to the client to meet their specific needs and situation.

Dealing with a Difficult Labor Relationship -- Unionized Vulnerability Assessment Audits

The Mickus Group has assisted clients to strengthen or restore management’s right to run its business in an efficient, competitive and profitable manner under an existing collective bargaining agreement. In situations where the labor relationship is acrimonious and counter-productive, The Mickus Group professionals have frequently advised clients on efforts to improve relationships with the union and/or employees to reduce the level of tension. As an option for unionized organizations that need to have a detailed and comprehensive assessment of their labor relationship, The Mickus Group has developed a tailored Unionized Vulnerability Assessment Survey (VAS©) for management team members. The Unionized VAS© includes an in-depth fact-finding process, management team interviews, a review and analysis of the current collective bargaining agreement, policies, practices, historical relationships, and the demographic and cultural environment of the organization. A final comprehensive report of findings and recommendations is presented that pinpoints practices and preventive/corrective measures to assist the client in more effectively managing an existing labor relationship.

Decertification and De-Authorization

The Mickus Group effectively assists clients whose employees wish to reestablish direct relationships with their employers through a possible decertification effort. Consistent with all legal and ethical guidelines, The Mickus Group consultants are prepared to advise clients in determining how the employer and employees can best and legally exercise their rights to achieve their objective of working free of any third party involvement. When employees seek to modify their relationship with their union, The Mickus Group assists clients to legally and practically participate in support of their employees' actions.

Crisis and Conflict Resolution

When a crisis situation exists or is anticipated – a strike, slow down, picketing, boycott, corporate campaign, advocacy movement or other form of job action – The Mickus Group consultants assist management to develop strategies and tactics to immediately and decisively respond to the situation. An unchecked crisis can escalate with potentially negative and costly long-term results. Quick action using The Mickus Group services can help defuse the crisis and return operations to an appropriate level. In the event any type of union corporate campaign is initiated against an employer, The Mickus Group is experienced and well prepared to assist with an appropriate response effort to minimize or negate the impact of such tactics by organized labor.

Strike and Labor Disruption Contingency Planning

At the bargaining table a union's final source of "bargaining power" to try to obtain an employer's agreement to demands is the threat of a strike, or, actually taking employees out on strike. In some situations labor disruptions, such as work slowdowns, "sick-offs", picketing, and other union related or disgruntled employee actions have been initiated. A prudent employer goes to the bargaining table with the knowledge and preparation necessary to effectively respond to a union's strike threats, labor disruptions, or strike actions. The Mickus Group has assisted many of its clients, from large international companies to smaller businesses in a wide range of industries, in the development of a labor disruption and/or strike contingency plan that provides the employer with both the knowledge and advance preparation necessary to effectively respond to a union's actions. For those organizations that have not yet accomplished their strike and labor dispute contingency plans, The Mickus Group highly recommends that the decision to proceed with plan development should be made well before contract expiration and negotiations, or as soon as practical before a potential "crisis" confrontation with their existing union might occur.