Most employers that have a tight budget to work with will always be searching for ways to cut costs. When a company decides that working with an employee benefit consultant may make an organization more efficient, it is tempting to begin rewriting contracts and changing company policies immediately.
It's important to keep in mind that consultants should be used to help you improve your strategy not only during the time of negotiations, but on an ongoing level, especially where improving union benefits is concerned. Most collective bargaining agreements require that all negotiations about benefits and coverage need to be conducted toward the end of a contract, but your consultant can help you develop a long-term multi-year strategy.
Companies should take the time that remains on employee contracts to start a conversation about benefits and health coverage. The more closely that management and union members keep in touch about important negotiable matters before a contract expires, the less contentious the matter will be when it comes time to actually sit at a table across from one another. A good union-management relationship will make the difficult task of choosing a benefits package simpler than it might otherwise be.
