Partnership & Problem-Solving

The Common-Interest Framework

Where patients, staff, and the organization want the same thing.

The both/and lens of FQHC labor relations. It maps the places where workers, unions, and management share a goal — a stable, well-staffed, trusted clinic — and is honest about where the tensions are real.

When to use it

To open a hard conversation on common ground.
To frame bargaining around the mission.

How to use it

1Name the three circles: patients, staff, organization.
2For each issue, find where the circles overlap — retention helps all three.
3Start from the overlap, then negotiate the genuine trade-offs honestly.

Takeaway

Strong labor relations and a thriving health center protect the same thing.

Learn this in a course

Labor Relations 101: History & the Lay of the Land

Related frameworks

Interest-Based Problem Solving (IBPS)

Labor-Management Partnership

All frameworks