Partnership & Problem-Solving

Labor-Management Partnership

Solve problems jointly through unit-based teams, not only at the table.

The structured, ongoing collaboration modeled by Kaiser Permanente's LMP — the largest in U.S. healthcare. Frontline teams of workers, managers, and clinicians improve quality and operations together, year-round.

When to use it

When you want collaboration to survive turnover.
To move a relationship from contested to partnership.

How to use it

1Charter a standing labor-management committee.
2Stand up unit-based teams on real operational goals.
3Use interest-based bargaining for the contract.
4Share information and decisions transparently.
5Measure and celebrate joint wins.

Watch out

Partnership is a practice, not a personality — document it so it outlasts the people who started it.

Takeaway

The deepest labor relations are built between contracts, not just during them.

Source: Kaiser Labor Management Partnership

Learn this in a course

Building a Partnership: Common Interest & FQHC Success

Related frameworks

Interest-Based Problem Solving (IBPS)

The Common-Interest Framework

All frameworks