1 — One important common denominator when working in a union environment is the principle of seniority. All unions embrace seniority as a sacrosanct. Violation of this principle is at the heart of much union-management conflict.
2 — Most generally, in a union environment any major change that touches the contract must necessarily involve union leadership as well. Ensure that union leadership is informed and involved, appropriately, at every stage of the process. Organizations that have attempted large-scale changes have experienced that the union can help make it work, or they can stop it altogether.