The Royal Mail Dispute rumbles on with Trade Unions and management heading towards what seems to be mutual destruction.
Against this background, how could I successfully mediate this matter?
What are the key variables which would give a possibility of a settlement being reached? In particular, what are the variables that I would consider?
Focus on the Parties. One of the most neglected ways to reach a settlement is to focus on which parties to attend the mediation. It goes without saying that one would want the management and the trade unions to attend the mediation. However, what about apparently other parties who may or may not have a direct stake in the mediation such as the government or even possiibly members of the Opposition?
Focus on the Negotiation Teams. Who would attend the mediation? Would it be the key players? Who would have authority to settle? Would they be there at the mediation?
Agree to a Period of Silence. A damaging aspect of a potential settlement is the willingness of the parties to use their PR teams. Parties run the risk of being entrenched and putting themselves in a corner which they cannot get out of.