Marilyn had asked <I would be interested in hearing about such experiences
of others on the list. What concerns have union representatives raised?
Has the introduction of LO principles strengthened union-management
relationships? How?>
My training organization (the Corporate Adventure Training Institute -
CATI) uses experiential training methodlogies to bring to life a variety
of concepts, including those associated "learning organization". Over the
past year, we have had a large contract with a major automobile
manufacturer to help develop cross-functional work "teams" - actually, we
weren't allowed to use the word "team" as the union declared that was a
Japanese approach and not in line with their philosophy. Same program,
same learning objectives, just couldn't say team.
Alas, our efforts to help this organization learn how to learn and become
more effective in their use of teams have been all but overtly sabotaged
by the union in their plants. Frequently, 20 participants would be
scheduled to attend a workshop and only 8 or 9 would show up without any
advance notice of cancellation. The union was dictating who could or
could not attend, without letting the HR department what they intended to
allow or their rationale. The union was flexing muscle at the expense of
the participants.
Although this is only one example it has sent a very powerful message to
our organization. In a unionized situation, facilitating the evolution
toward a learning organization will be a process strife with pathetic and
painful set-backs which arise for no other reason than to manipulate the
management-labour relations.
Again that is merely my recent experience. I'd enjoy hearing from others
and would welcome suggestions on how we as outside facilitators without
any contact with the union can be more effective for our client when we
repeatly fall victim to the unions whims. Yours in learning, Tim
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Tim Dixon, Director
Corporate Adventure Training Institute
Brock University
St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1
(905)688 5550 3120
e-mail:tdixon@arnie.pec.brocku.ca
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