Mechanic works to improve labor management relationships Published July 23, 2010 By Wayne Crenshaw 78 ABW/PA ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- By Wayne Crenshaw wayne.crenshaw.ctr@robins.af.mil By Wayne Crenshaw wayne.crenshaw.ctr@robins.af.mil A kind deed done for her many years ago impact's Elaine Varnadoe's life to this day. Varnadoe is a 402nd Maintenance Wing sheet-metal mechanic and vice president of maintenance for the American Federation of Government Employees Local 987. She is also one of the original members of the Connectors group, which is made up of representatives of labor and management and aims to find ways for the two sides to work better together. She agreed to serve on the group because she thought she could help others. "When I was growing, up, I had somebody stick a hand out to help me, and I always said if I could be in a position to help others that I would," she said. "I've always tried to help people who can't help themselves because at one time I was there and it taught me a lot." For her service with the Connectors, she was honored with the Foster Leadership in People award. The award is given to members of Team Robins who go the extra mile to build better labor/management relationships. Her capacity to see both sides of an issue is reflected in her selection as an Alternative Dispute Resolution mediator. ADR is designed to resolve labor/management disputes before they go to a formal grievance process. In that role, she steps out of her employee and union roles and serves as a neutral observer. Robert Caviness, ADR champion, said not just anyone can do the mediator's job. "It takes a special individual to break away either from the union connections or management connections and put that hat on to be fair," he said. Varnadoe has 31 years in the aircraft industry, previously working for Boeing and Delta before coming to Robins 21 years ago; however, she has no plans to retire. "I like being able to negotiate with individuals and make sure things are done right," she said. She said labor/management relationships are better now than she has seen in her time here, and she gave much of the credit for that to Maj. Gen. Polly Peyer, Warner Robins Air Logistics Center commander. "I have never met another person who has put more of her heart and soul into doing what's right," Varnadoe said.