Yesterday I voluntered to be my Nursing unit's Union Rep

[tavalon]

And it's on the eve of hammering out a new contract. If I become a rep (and sadly, since this and many other positions haven't been filled for a while, I think it's a given I will get the position), I have the option to be one of the negotiators. Because I'm from the South, where union busting in hospitals has been so successful, I've never before this job, been in a union, much less a rep. Anybody have any tips, suggestions, likely expectations they would like to pass on to me. I'm sure I'll know by next week if I have the position and then it will be research, research, research! So, as well, if you have any good websites, they would be appreciated. Lastly, I couldn't find a specialty group devoted to unions so I picked this one but I'm wondering if it would be a good idea to post something similar in GD. I decided against that at first, because with the primary wars going, I wasn't sure anyone would see the post, much less have attention for it.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

1. The number one principle of negotiating is to start from the position

that is your ideal outcome, even if you think you won't get it. Don't anticipate what the other side will accept, because they'll try to bargain you down even from there. If you start with your wildest dreams, you're more likely to get something that you can accept.