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How Healthy is Your Labor-Management Committee?

There are a number of factors that are known to support effective labor-management committees. Answer these questions to determine how your committee is doing.

1. Do members' interactions with each other demonstrate a commitment to open communication, cooperative problem solving, and shared decision making?

2. Has the committee documented how they will work together in a written, signed operating agreement?

3. Do members focus on group results rather than personal agendas?

4. Are meeting agendas developed collaboratively and distributed well in advance of  meetings?

5. Do all major employee and management stakeholders have ongoing opportunity to  provide input into the committee’s agendas?

6. Do members carefully research agenda items before discussing them at committee meetings?

7. Does the committee consistently use systematic problem-solving techniques?

8. Do both labor and management teams demonstrate an understanding of the other team?

9. Do both teams anticipate the needs, concerns, and reactions of the other team when preparing agenda items?

10. Are decisions generally made by consensus and collaboration?

11. Do committee members stick to the rule of "no surprises?"

12. Do meeting facilitators effectively control group dynamics and provide an effective meeting process where points of view are heard and considered?

13. Is trust and respect within and between committee members fostered and strengthened by members’ behavior during and between meetings?

14. Do committee members make effective use of all information and resources available to them?

15. Do members appear confident in making presentations and responding to each other during committee meetings?

16. Are committee members able to handle conflict and disagreement without a breakdown in effective communication?

17. Do meeting minutes accurately reflect the decisions and action items established during the meetings?

18. Are all interested stakeholders informed about the agreements and decisions of the committee?

19. Do the committee members take pride in their accomplishments?

20. Are the decisions and initiatives of the committee implemented effectively?