As a human resources professional, it is your responsibility to ensure that your organization’s collective agreement is renewed on time and in a manner that is favorable to your company and its employees. However, determining the strategies required to achieve this feat can be quite challenging. In this article, we’ll explore some strategies that can help you get the renewal of the collective agreement.

Know your company’s priorities

Before you begin negotiations, it is important to identify your company’s priorities. What are the most critical issues that your company faces? What are the changes that you want to see in the new agreement? Knowing your company’s priorities will help you prepare the necessary arguments and counterarguments during negotiations.

Prepare a comprehensive proposal

Your proposal should include the specific changes that your company wants to see in the new agreement. It should be clear, concise, and well-organized. The proposal should also be informed by data, research, and insights that support your argument. This will make it easier for the other party to understand your position and engage in meaningful negotiations.

Understand the other party’s priorities

Just as you have your company’s priorities, the other party also has its own priorities. Understanding their priorities will help you understand their position and devise an appropriate negotiation strategy. This means researching their organization, keeping tabs on their recent activities, and reviewing their previous agreements.

Create a collaborative and respectful negotiating environment

Negotiations can be tense and emotional, but it is important to keep personal feelings out of the discussion. Creating a positive and respectful environment is crucial to productive negotiations. This will help build trust and respect between the two parties, which can lead to a better agreement.

Be flexible and willing to compromise

Negotiations are not always a zero-sum game, which means that both parties can walk away with wins. It is important to be open-minded and willing to compromise on certain issues. This can help build goodwill and facilitate constructive negotiations.

Final thoughts

Renewing a collective agreement can be challenging, but by following these strategies, you can make sure that the process goes smoothly. Always remember to prepare, understand the other party’s position, maintain a positive environment, and be willing to compromise. By adopting a collaborative approach, you can ensure that both your organization and employees benefit from the renewed agreement.