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International Perspectives Workplace Dispute
Resolution Conference
Arthur F. Rosenfeld Director U.S. Federal
Mediation and Conciliation Service October 23,
2008
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The impact of changing nature of work

• Technology provides the means for work to be done
  anywhere
• Jobs can be moved anywhere in search of cheaper
  labor costs
• Pressure on unions to make concessions to
  management in exchange for assurances of job
  security
• Organized labor is re-organizing and re-inventing
  itself to adapt to this changed work environment

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The effects of the global economic downswing

• Increased pressure to cut costs
• Reduced job security
• Reduced benefits
• Unionized workforce is perceived as more costly
  than non-unionized workforce
• Intensification of labor-management tension,
  management and unions negotiating as economic
  adversaries rather than collaborative
  problem-solvers

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Collective bargaining trends

• Increase in labor-management tension
• Management demands for concessionary contracts
• Unions trying to increase clout at the bargaining
  table through mergers and national contracts
• Longer term contracts
• Job security becoming key bargaining issue with
  health care and pensions

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The state of dispute resolution in labor relations

• Persistent attitude that accepting mediation in a
  dispute is a sign of weakness
• Lack of labor-relations training at business
  schools
• Fewer labor-relations professionals, lack of
  experience on both sides

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Developing mediation capacity and skills

• FMCS program of outreach and education, teaching
  the value and benefits of mediation
• Relationship development and training
• Meetings and conferences
• Long-term relationships in communities with
  institutions, businesses and unions
• Must keep renewing relationships