Policy on Focus Group

Council Home Page	The Bargaining Process: Focus Group
NASA Committees and Reports Chief Electoral Officer Focus Group Human Resources Cttee. Joint Forum Cttee. WHAT'S NEW? THE NASA CONTRACT REP'S COUNCIL STEWARD'S CORNER ABOUT NASA TRUST TOPICS UNION COMMITTEES AND REPORTS SOLIDARITY! SITE INDEX CONTACT US Last updated: 02/26/99	Introduction: The essential reason for making changes to how NASA handled the negotiating process from the union's side was to open up the bargaining process for more input from members by creating a broader group of NASA members who are involved in the process. Experience taught us something. In the last round our negotiators endorsed a tentative deal which they brought to the members for a vote. But the members rejected the offer. It was evident the negotiators didn't really understand that the members were prepared to reject this "final offer". Communications broke down between those leading negotiations and the average, rank-and-file, member. Fortunately, the vote allowed members to reject the deal. In 1996, a Joint Forum was held to discuss our negotiating process. We invited speakers from other unions -- CUPW, AUPE, the Nurses, the Autoworkers -- to compare their approach to how we handle negotiations. One of the key recommendations in the final report from the Joint Forum included expanding those involved in negotiations. When it came time to discuss with the members our priorities for the next round, the proposal for creating the Focus Group and giving it a formal role was presented to the members and it was approved. Some members who volunteered to be part of the Group, were prepared to give some of their time to the union but couldn't participate at the high level required to be on the Bargaining Team itself. However, they were in touch with members across campus, something with the four-person Bargaining Team couldn't hope to accomplish as successfully as the FG. The important concerns of public relations and membership information was also a reason why members supported the proposal. The 4-person Bargaining Team doesn't really have the time to organize the communications aspects that we learned from the others unions is so important. Keeping members well-informed on an ongoing basis was crucial. The Focus Group will also be selecting Alternates for the Bargaining Team from among its members. They will be there to advise the Bargaining Team on various issues as they come up during negotiations. The Group will organize the vote on the contract. That's why the Group goes through much the same training as the Bargaining Team. And those are some of the major reasons why the resolutions were passed. Peter Matilainen June 1997 The following motions was passed at the January NASA GENERAL MEETING in order to: make the process of electing the four-person Negotiating more democratic and to have those election follow the general meetings decision on our final position; formalize the status of the Focus Group, define its relationship to the Negotiating Team, and to improve the opportunities for more information and input to and from the membership. Resolution #1: Process to Select the Negotiating Team Resolution #2: Purpose and Function of the Focus Group Resolution #1: Process to Select the Negotiating Team WHEREAS any bargaining position that is to be presented to the University on our behalf should be endorsed by a duly authorized General Meeting, and WHEREAS NASA's Negotiating Team needs to reflect membership views and to demonstrate their understanding -- and support for -- the decisions made at the general meeting which establishes our formal bargaining position, BE IT RESOLVED that the NASA Negotiating Team shall normally be elected from the membership through individual nominations from the floor; if more than the required number are nominated and accept, a secret ballot will be carried out to select the final Team; such nominations and any vote shall be at a general meeting and shall be carried out following approval of our formal bargaining position. Resolution #2: Purpose and Function of the Focus Group WHEREAS NASA negotiations can greatly benefit from ongoing input and advice during bargaining beyond the four members included in formal bargaining (according to the contract), and WHEREAS a body reflecting a broad cross-section of our members can meet more frequently and cost effectively than information meetings (meetings which also need to be held regularly), BE IT RESOLVED that NASA shall establish the Focus Group as part of our regular negotiating process for the purpose of developing strategies regarding negotiations and providing better communication to and from the membership in bargaining. The Focus Group: provides advice to the Negotiating Team as required by the Team or at the decision of the Group; elects alternates to serve on the Negotiating Team when needed; reviews and recommends proposals on NASA's bargaining "public relations" and "membership information" strategies, in consulation with the Executive. The Group shall meet as required, and elect a chairperson from among its own members to co-ordinate its activities and run its meetings. The Group shall be seen as an enlarged Bargaining Committee and will include the elected Negotiating Team (as voting members). Provisions for time-off for union business will be applied as needed for Group members. The Negotiating Team shall present any final offer or decision to recommend seeking arbitration to the Group for its opinions before they initial or endorse such a move on behalf of NASA. The Negotiating Team is also encouraged to consult the Group on other important issues. The Group shall be responsible for planning membership communication during negotiations and the membership vote on any recommendations of the Negotiating Team in co-ordination with the NASA Office and the Executive. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this General Meeting select members for the 1997 Focus Group after the selection of the Negotiating Team.

Council
Home Page

The Bargaining Process: Focus Group

NASA Committees and Reports

Chief Electoral Officer
Focus Group
Human Resources Cttee.
Joint Forum Cttee.

WHAT'S NEW?

THE NASA CONTRACT

UNION COMMITTEES AND REPORTS

SOLIDARITY!

SITE INDEX

CONTACT US

Last updated: 02/26/99

Introduction:

The essential reason for making changes to how NASA handled the negotiating process from the union's side was to open up the bargaining process for more input from members by creating a broader group of NASA members who are involved in the process. Experience taught us something. In the last round our negotiators endorsed a tentative deal which they brought to the members for a vote. But the members rejected the offer. It was evident the negotiators didn't really understand that the members were prepared to reject this "final offer". Communications broke down between those leading negotiations and the average, rank-and-file, member. Fortunately, the vote allowed members to reject the deal.

In 1996, a Joint Forum was held to discuss our negotiating process. We invited speakers from other unions -- CUPW, AUPE, the Nurses, the Autoworkers -- to compare their approach to how we handle negotiations. One of the key recommendations in the final report from the Joint Forum included expanding those involved in negotiations.

When it came time to discuss with the members our priorities for the next round, the proposal for creating the Focus Group and giving it a formal role was presented to the members and it was approved. Some members who volunteered to be part of the Group, were prepared to give some of their time to the union but couldn't participate at the high level required to be on the Bargaining Team itself. However, they were in touch with members across campus, something with the four-person Bargaining Team couldn't hope to accomplish as successfully as the FG.

The important concerns of public relations and membership information was also a reason why members supported the proposal. The 4-person Bargaining Team doesn't really have the time to organize the communications aspects that we learned from the others unions is so important. Keeping members well-informed on an ongoing basis was crucial.

The Focus Group will also be selecting Alternates for the Bargaining Team from among its members. They will be there to advise the Bargaining Team on various issues as they come up during negotiations. The Group will organize the vote on the contract. That's why the Group goes through much the same training as the Bargaining Team. And those are some of the major reasons why the resolutions were passed.

Peter Matilainen
June 1997

The following motions was passed at the January NASA GENERAL MEETING in order to:

make the process of electing the four-person Negotiating more democratic and to have those election follow the general meetings decision on our final position;
formalize the status of the Focus Group, define its relationship to the Negotiating Team, and to improve the opportunities for more information and input to and from the membership.

Resolution #1: Process to Select the Negotiating Team

Resolution #2: Purpose and Function of the Focus Group

Resolution #1: Process to Select the Negotiating Team

WHEREAS any bargaining position that is to be presented to the University on our behalf should be endorsed by a duly authorized General Meeting, and

WHEREAS NASA's Negotiating Team needs to reflect membership views and to demonstrate their understanding -- and support for -- the decisions made at the general meeting which establishes our formal bargaining position,

BE IT RESOLVED that

the NASA Negotiating Team shall normally be elected from the membership through individual nominations from the floor;
if more than the required number are nominated and accept, a secret ballot will be carried out to select the final Team;
such nominations and any vote shall be at a general meeting and shall be carried out following approval of our formal bargaining position.

Resolution #2: Purpose and Function of the Focus Group

WHEREAS NASA negotiations can greatly benefit from ongoing input and advice during bargaining beyond the four members included in formal bargaining (according to the contract), and

WHEREAS a body reflecting a broad cross-section of our members can meet more frequently and cost effectively than information meetings (meetings which also need to be held regularly),

BE IT RESOLVED that NASA shall establish the Focus Group as part of our regular negotiating process for the purpose of developing strategies regarding negotiations and providing better communication to and from the membership in bargaining.

The Focus Group:

provides advice to the Negotiating Team as required by the Team or at the decision of the Group;
elects alternates to serve on the Negotiating Team when needed;
reviews and recommends proposals on NASA's bargaining "public relations" and "membership information" strategies, in consulation with the Executive.

The Group shall meet as required, and elect a chairperson from among its own members to co-ordinate its activities and run its meetings.

The Group shall be seen as an enlarged Bargaining Committee and will include the elected Negotiating Team (as voting members). Provisions for time-off for union business will be applied as needed for Group members.

The Negotiating Team shall present any final offer or decision to recommend seeking arbitration to the Group for its opinions before they initial or endorse such a move on behalf of NASA. The Negotiating Team is also encouraged to consult the Group on other important issues.

The Group shall be responsible for planning membership communication during negotiations and the membership vote on any recommendations of the Negotiating Team in co-ordination with the NASA Office and the Executive.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this General Meeting select members for the 1997 Focus Group after the selection of the Negotiating Team.

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