from Sean Fitz-Gerald of the National Post,
George Smith, a Queen’s University professor who has negotiated labour deals for major companies such as Air Canada and CP Rail, suggested the NHL’s decision to release the full text of its offer on Wednesday morning could change the mood around the NHLPA offices “significantly.”
“In the corporate world … this would be seen as very, very aggressive,” Smith said. “Because you’re effectively going around the union. You’re negotiating directly with the bargaining unit.”...
Smith said the NHL’s offer — not only in its timing, but also in its appearance of giving a fairer deal — was a brilliant negotiating move. By way of example, though, Smith was asked how he thought labour unions would react if, while he was at Air Canada, he sent the full text of management’s offer to the company website.
“They would go ballistic,” he said. “Why would I be negotiating either directly with the members or with the public when I’m supposed to be negotiating across the table with you? There’s no other way to describe this. This isn’t about transparency. This is about winning the hearts and minds.”
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