Labor relations discussed at Personnel Association meeting

Labor relations strategies and use of the Joint Labor-Management Committee were discussed at the March 5 meeting of the Massachusetts Municipal Personnel Association in Burlington.

Attorney Nicholas Anastasopoulos, a partner at Mirick O’Connell, reminded the audience that the root of “arbitration” is “arbitrary.” There are resources available throughout the process, however, that can make it less arbitrary and more predictable.

When starting the collective bargaining process, it’s important to remember that you are under no obligation to agree to anything, Anastasopoulos said. The only thing the municipal employer is obligated to do is to bargain in good faith.

It’s best to go into the process knowing what you’re asking for, why you’re asking for it, and how it affects your other bargaining units and negotiations, he said. Also important are access to timely and relevant information, creativity in proposals, and the current bargaining environment.

“Preparation is the key to labor negotiations,” he said.

Ground rules should be clear from the beginning, Anastasopoulos advised. He added that arbitration should be the exception, not the rule.

Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella discussed his experience at the bargaining table and offered tips for navigating the process. He cautioned against bringing wage increase percentages to the table first, and instead recommended that municipal representatives bring important issues they are concerned about so they have something substantial to negotiate with right away.

It’s beneficial to start early, Mazzarella said. You don’t want to be getting ready for arbitration two weeks before arbitration.

Mazzarella also recommended involving an attorney early in the process and letting human resources staff do most of the work to keep costs down.

Chatham Town Manager Jill Goldsmith, the management chair of the JLMC, offered the committee’s services to cities and towns and stressed the need to work collaboratively and keep communication lines open during collective bargaining.

Being prepared, she said, means knowing on the spot how much a 1 percent increase is to your total payroll.

Goldsmith also recommends being respectful during negotiations, since you are negotiating with your employees and many times bargaining is about wages, which can be a sensitive subject. If you must say no, try to communicate your concerns, she said.

Selectmen and councillors must be kept informed of what’s going on from the start of negotiations, Goldsmith said.