Using OST in labour disputes

[Lisa Heft]

Hi, Beverley --
 
You wrote:
< Do any of you have any examples of using OST to resolve labour
disputes?>
 
One experience I had with management and labor was a series of 4 OS
forums (held in 4 regions of the US for participation across the
country) inviting leaders from the United States Departments of Labor
and Transportation, union workers in the trades, non-union workers, and
representatives of minority training programs to work together on the
future of training for federal highway construction programs.  A future
with less money for programs and a workforce that has been shifting to
include women and other people of minority culture plus single parents
of both genders.  They all had to meet to co-create what would be
mutually beneficial - to put forth ideas to inform the Departments of
Labor and Transportation - for decisions that would directly impact
their futures and their own programs.
 
Each of these regional OS forums was facilitated, in turn, by Michael
Herman, myself, Elwin Guild and Harrison (right, everybody?).
 
VERY contentious (at least my group was), with workers mistrusting what
the government will do, union folks angry at non-union folks just
because, minority folks in the trades hyper-concerned that their
programs would be cut and struggling for equality in a work culture that
doesn't traditionally include them.a fine rich stew.
 
So: not a labor (or labour) dispute per se, but an existing situation
where the players are used to fighting for what they need, to bumping
heads about things, to digging in their heels even when they are just
beginning, to suspecting the hidden or overt motives of what they
perceive to be the other side.  But where each player has passion and an
incredible depth of knowledge and experience.
 
All the yummy reasons for a good rich OS.
 
Lisa
___________________________
L i s a   H e f t
Consultant, Facilitator, Educator
O p e n i n g  S p a c e
2325 Oregon
Berkeley, California
94705-1106   USA
+01 510 548-8449
 <mailto:lisaheft at openingspace.net> lisaheft at openingspace.net
 <http://www.openingspace.net> www.openingspace.net 
 
 

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