The negotiations are the key instrument in each possible kind of deal that provides the possibility of an agreement on beneficial terms for both sides. In a particular case, as a union representative for the police department, it is crucial to work on a successful and efficient strategy that will ensure the best possible outcome. Since the contract is about to expire, there is a need to renegotiate the management conditions on which the police department will continue working. This essay observes the central point of the discussed contract and the specific issues that have to be considered during the following cooperation.
The beginning of the negotiations can determine the following direction of the conversation. As it can create possibilities and a good impression, it can ruin the following arrangement and influence the final decision. To start the discussion on the contract, it would be great to summarize the accomplishments and observations from the past period of the duration of the expired agreement. Since the topics that are most important to discuss and implement in the new contract are already known, the first aspect to mention is the results of the previous policies and conditions. Starting from the most important ones briefly and efficiently, all the pint should be explained and delivered without burdening them with unnecessary details. After the summary is clear to the other side of the negotiations, it is time to make a move and announce the first item. The most substantial arguments for each aspect should be discussed in the order from the strongest ones to the weakest to capture the attention and assert the person.
On top of negotiated conditions for the contract is the requirement to provide officers with paid administrative leave or paid-desk duty when something traumatic and dangerous happens. On duty can occur many different incidents such as gun shootings or deaths. Due to the possible emotional and physical stress that the officer might experience, giving them some time off work is necessary. The expenditures that this measure requires are the most efficient and less costly method to help people stay in excellent physical and mental states. Such accidents can lead to trauma, burnout, or suppressed stress that can affect overall productivity, job performance, and concentration. The work in the police department requires a decent amount of accuracy and concentration, for any minor mistakes can impact someone’s life and affect the future of the person. The estimated cost for that aspect is $336 000. Without the administrative leaves, the officers are more likely to cause issues that eventually will be more expensive than the free day or extra paid shift.
Another moment that needs to be discussed is the issue of pension funding and liabilities. Due to the issue with the underfunded pension plan issue when the organization has more liabilities than assets, some officers who work in the department should be guaranteed a fully funded pension. Otherwise, future retirees will not live a wholesome life without financial security and confidence in the future (Kagan, 2020). Moreover, those who have already finished their duty and reached retirement age might struggle with getting their earned money after they stop working. Also, the guarantee that the current or future usually retires is binding, and the organization can face several problems and difficulties (Kagan, 2020). Therefore pension liabilities are a crucial issue that should be solved. The officers have to be provided with fully funded pensions to live financially secure after retirement and protect the organization from backlash and lawsuits.
In addition, special bonuses will bring the right amount of motivation and encouragement for the following work for officers who only started their career path in the department. One of the best ways is to provide them with early holiday premiums after successfully passing the prohibition. The estimated cost for this would be $1000 for one employee to provide them with finances for a living while they are still at the beginning of the career path and stimulate them to the following hard work.
The last topic for negotiation is the prevention of investigation of the officer for an accident that happened a hundred or more days ago. The officers have to feel safe and confident while performing their job, and the police department’s responsibility is to ensure that possibility. However, the situations can differ from time to time and should be observed individually, but the main point is to stay objective and fair while dealing with the investigation. Therefore, to prevent the officers from investigating, the department has to make sure that they follow the rules and the laws at work and do not overuse their credentials. Since the incidents can inevitably affect the reputation and status of the police department, specific measures should be taken to prevent the investigation from keeping the image and having time to research the situation from the inside.
Overall, the negotiation strategy for resigning the contract should be an effective tool that can persuade the other side of the beneficial agreement and leave a positive impression after. The first thing is to summarize the main issues and, after that, suggest more productive solutions. The argument must be presented from the strongest to the weakest with statistical data to ensure the negotiations will result desirably.
Reference
Kagan, J. (2020). Underfunded Pension Plan. Investopedia.