Labor Relations: The Meet and Confer Process

b. Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)

 Assesses overall financial and operational impact of issues being negotiated and makes recommendations to governing body.  Supervises agency’s negotiating teams and often represents the agency before the media and community groups.

c. Human Resources Director and Staff

 Directs and coordinates staff support activities for negotiations.

 Prepares negotiating data, including surveys and costing data.

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Coordinates input from agency operating managers.

 Handles communications with management and, as applicable, with unit employees.

 Actively participates in all phases of negotiations and provides information to the Chief Negotiator concerning agency bargaining history and other administrative issues.

d. Chief Negotiator

 Handles negotiations and communications with unions within guidelines established by governing body.  Advises the governing body, CAO, Human Resources Director and other designated agency staff regarding the negotiations on a regular and ongoing basis.  Consults with agency staff on negotiation-related issues (e.g., costing, negotiation data, internal and external communications, impasse/strike planning).  Provides guidance and advice concerning negotiating positions, and supervises the negotiating team.

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Determines negotiating strategies.

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Drafts agreements.

 Provides management training and advice regarding negotiated agreements.

e. Legal Counsel

 Provides advice to negotiating team, staff and governing body regarding the legal implications of negotiation issues, agreements, and procedural matters related to the negotiations.

f. Agency Operating Managers

 Review personnel and departmental rules, MOUs, and established practices that are subject to negotiations that unduly restrict management operational discretion or otherwise impede efficient operations.

Labor Relations: The Meet and Confer Process ©2019 (s) Liebert Cassidy Whitmore 48