DETROIT - The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) has awarded a $125,000 grant to the Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors of Detroit (PMC Detroit) to administer the creation of a Labor/Management Committee.

Representatives from PMC Detroit, the Association of Service and Mechanical Contractors of Southeastern Michigan, Plumbers UA Local 98, and Pipefitters UA Local 636 will sit on the committee. According to the organizations, they will be charged with: surveying the members to determine their attitudes and beliefs about one another; creating an educational video; gathering in groups to define ways of recognizing their interdependence and developing relationships of respect; conducting a post-survey to assess the degree of positive change to the union/management culture; working as a committee to identify issues and solve problems prior to the 2006 contract negotiations; developing radio advertising for fall 2005; and developing a five-year plan to increase market share.

The 18-month grant is expected to give union and management leaders the opportunity to develop a more effective process for communicating, negotiating, and problem solving.