Having served as a management spokesperson in negotiations and as a neutral Federal Mediator in Hawaii for over 30 years, I have observed changes in collective bargaining in Hawaii over the years. Many of the changes have been positive. However, in recent years, there has been a shift towards more negative tactics such as public shaming and personal attacks. While these negative changes have been occurring for years on the mainland, collective bargaining in Hawaii used to be conducted in a friendlier, more collaborative environment.

In the face of this new collective bargaining environment, how should employers proceed in bargaining? Here are a few tips:

1. Maintain a positive, friendly, and collaborative environment for collective bargaining. Avoid accusations, blaming, and personal attacks. Set the stage for positive negotiations by providing refreshments such as water, coffee, soft drinks, pastries, and snacks. Also, be on time for meetings and come prepared with proposals or responses.
2. Discuss union proposals to understand the reasons and interests behind them. Ask questions to get to the core issue that a proposal is trying to resolve.
3. Try to brainstorm different options. If an option is unacceptable, ask, "How can the option be changed to become acceptable?"
4. If an issue cannot be resolved, move on to another issue that can possibly be resolved. As issues are resolved, keep reminding each other of the agreements that have been achieved.
5. Keep the mood of negotiations positive. Do not get discouraged when disagreements occur. Stay focused on resolving issues.

Regardless of what happens during collective bargaining, it's important to remember that you will need to continue working together moving forward. It's crucial to keep in mind that the use of negative tactics during negotiations can make post-negotiation collaboration more challenging. Therefore, maintaining a positive and respectful environment during bargaining can help facilitate future cooperation between the parties and establish a harmonious workplace.