Answer to Question #163174 in Management for Bradley Bokang

Question

You were recently appointed as Chief Negotiator for the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) negotiating team that is preparing to commence negotiations on 1 March 2021 with the negotiating team for the employers in the automobile industry. Discuss in detail how your team has prepared for the negotiations, focus on the eight steps.

2 x marks for explaining what the step entails, in terms of the activities involved and 1 x mark for providing and explaining a relevant example on each step.

Answer 1

Negotiation is the process of having a discussion to reach an agreement. As the chief negotiator, I should ensure that my process is detailed to bring an agreement with employers in the automobile industry. The eight processes should be detailed as explained; the team should prepare well by knowing what they want to agree on with the employers and understand them by knowing what they are aiming at towards the agreement. Secondly, on the negotiation day, they should open their case and listen to employers of the automobile industry's case like explain their terms of the agreement and hear from them. Thirdly, they should argue their reasonably and convincingly to put across the ideas of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA). Fourthly, they should seek understanding and possibility of the agreement by exploring each other's mindset. At this level, the team should be trying to understand the other party's point of view. 

Fifthly, they should signal an indication of readiness to work together in collaboration towards the mutual benefit of both the workers and the employer. They should illustrate how they are ready like, they will ensure employee delivery of services. Sixthly, I present potential trades' package that will ensure the partnership of both the NUMSA and the employers in the automobile industry. Seventhly, the negotiation reaches a final agreement and closes it by presenting the terms from each party and their implementation formula. Each party has to agree. Lastly, the two parties have to ensure that there is a commitment to what has been agreed. Sustaining the agreement and making what has been agreed to happen is the core thing in negotiation. It can be salary increment of the employees, employee welfare protection, employer satisfaction terms through productivity is achieved and implemented.