Effective Collective Action
During Negotiations
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Penny for your thoughts!
In your opinion what did
this demonstration represent?
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Demonstration Brainstorm
How does the
demonstration relate to the
negotiations process?
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Employers generally resist making
favorable decisions relating to the
workers we represent …
unless we create
meaningful pressure
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Pressure Tactics
Create a list of ways that a
chapter can apply meaningful
pressure on the employer
during contract negotiations
Take 3 minutes to exchange your ideas with
those seated at your table.
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CONFRONTATIONAL
ACTIONS
Strike
Inside Tactics /
Work to Rule
Sick Days
Pack School Board Meetings
SOLIDARITY
ACTIONS
Informational Pickets
March into Work Together
Lunchtime Rally
One Minute Stand Up on the Job
Petitions
Buttons & Balloons
Postcards to Employer
Same Color T-Shirts
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Pressure on the employer should increase or escalate with each action.
Collective Action
When a group of people band
together in a show of
solidarity
to send a message
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Contract Campaign
A series of collective actions that are:
•
•
•
•
Well planned
Well orchestrated
Member driven
Designed to increase the pressure on the
employer or decision makers
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You can be all of these,
PERSUASIVE
RATIONAL
MERIT
FAIR
but it’s just not enough!
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It’s not enough to be right…
You need might
as well.
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Things to remember:
• Assume that pressure tactics will
be necessary
• Start planning early!
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Things to remember:
 Your choice of tactics must be determined
by a clear analysis of the employer’s
weaknesses.
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Things to remember:
• Let the members help develop
collective actions during the
campaign!
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Things to remember:
• Workers often give strongest support to
actions they developed.
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Things to remember:
• The threat of action often has
more psychological effect on
management officials than the
action itself.
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If you want them to move
Members need to:
• See their own self-interest
What’s In It For Me? (WII-FM)
• Believe in their own self-worth
• Have hope of some success
• Decide their own tactics
Educate, Agitate, and Motivate
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Evaluating your Tactics
• Will the tactic be fun for members to
carry out?
• Will the tactic surprise management?
• Does it target people in management
who control the decisions?
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Evaluating your Tactics
• How long will it take before the
pressure is felt?
• Will the tactic build the union and
involve more members
down the road?
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Evaluating your Tactics
• Other things to keep in mind:
– What will the tactic cost in terms of
money, staff time, and volunteer efforts?
– Could the tactic backfire?
– Would the tactic expose workers to
discipline or the union to legal liability?
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Communication Chain Questions
1. What can site reps do to educate,
agitate, and motivate your members?
2. What can get your members “involved
and caring” about a contract campaign?
3. Ideas for effective collective actions in
your chapter.
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Be Prepared to Take Effective
Collective Action!
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