Labor Management Forum improves relations

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jacob Morgan
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Dover Air Force Base, Del., has joined with a local union to establish a forum designed to improve relations between civilian employees and management.

The Labor Management Forum is a partnership between leadership at Dover AFB and American Federation of Government Employees Local 1709. The goal is to improve Team Dover's mission capability, and the quality of civilian employees' lives.

"It is important for our entire workforce to know that labor and management share a common goal and we strive to accomplish our mission and take care of our Airmen and their families," said Col. Mark Camerer, 436th Airlift Wing commander. "In doing so, we rely on the unbounded talents of our Airmen and our civilian workers. The strong ties between labor and management only enhance our ability to meet our objectives and by working together, we are more effective."

The LMF does not replace existing liaison tools, such as collective bargaining or grievance processes. However, it will serve as a new tool to help in the decision making process.

"Both sides will be able to hear thoughts and concerns before decisions are made," said Collette McCulley, 436th Force Support Squadron labor relations officer.

The LMF encourages employees and their supervisors to work together to resolve issues at the lowest level.

The AFGE Local 1709 and Dover AFB look forward to establishing sub-LMFs across large organizational lines, said Ms. McCulley. LMFs at lower levels throughout the installation may be established in the future to address issues at the larger sub-organizational levels.

Two meetings have been conducted by the LMF already where both sides reached a mutual decision for a smoke-free Fitness Center, which means the area surrounding the Fitness Center.

"This program is in the interest of all of our employees' health," said Ms. McCulley. "These last two meetings have set the LMF on the right path."

One of the measurements of the LMF will be surveys measuring employee satisfaction. An initial survey was conducted between June 1-15 and more will be forthcoming. This survey targeted civilian employees and their supervisors.

"We are committed to working with and for the employees at Dover AFB," said Jerry Davies, AFGE Local 1709 president. "Currently the strides both parties have taken are indicative of our commitment and there has been measurable progress for all parties."