Labor, management group connecting dots for better relationships Published July 9, 2010 By Wayne Crenshaw 78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The simple idea of labor and management at Robins sitting down on a regular basis to talk is yielding positive results. One of those results is a Connectors Group in the 402nd Maintenance Wing, comprised of both employees and supervisors. The group meets once per month to discuss how they can work better together to improve the workplace and effectively support the warfighter. Carlous Strickland, a union representative in the group, said labor and management relationships are better now than he has ever seen in his seven years at Robins. "We are trying to make things friendlier rather than adversarial," he said. "I've seen a big improvement from when I first got here. People are more willing to look at both sides of the story and listen when you sit down and talk face to face." The group, which has grown from 14 to 19 members, has helped champion two significant programs in the wing, each of which has produced positive results. One is the Alternative Dispute Resolution process, which seeks to avoid time-consuming, formal grievance procedures by having employees and supervisors settle differences at the lowest level. The other is the Foster Leadership In People Award, which recognizes both employees and managers who develop and foster trust and respect through positive labor and management relationships. In fact, due to its success, the Connectors Group is now taking its efforts across the entire Warner Robins Air Logistics Center. Capt. James Schieser, action officer for the group, said the Connectors are accomplishing what they set out to do. "What we are trying to do is create a better work environment," he said. "There are individuals who have put a lot of work into it, and we are seeing improvement."