I’m giving a keynote address today and the hotel where the conference is being held is one of 26 in Chicago participating in a city-wide strike. These hotels were unionized years ago so you’d think management and the union have had time to figure out how to co-exist. Whether you support unions or not, people have the right to be represented by a bargaining representative: when that happens there’s self-interest on both sides that must be understood and respected (grudgingly or not). That puts a lot of pressure and responsibility on both sides to find the common ground of compromise that allows each to retain their dignity and maintain labor peace. I’ve negotiated long-term labor agreements that resulted in both sides working together for the benefit of all: did we have disagreements – you bet; were they resolved – every time. That takes a willingness to talk, listen and understand that nothing should ever get in the way of providing what the customer is paying for. Don’t let pride get in the way of achieving your goals today.
Vanna Bonta (1958 – 2014): Italian-American writer, actress, and inventor
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