Our team managed all labor negotiations communication on behalf of the management team. During previous contract negotiations, the health system had rarely communicated with represented caregivers. We advocated for a new approach focused on transparent, frequent and fact-based communication, developed multiple channels for the health system to communicate with its caregivers and trained caregiver leaders to successfully deliver messages and answer questions. 

The health system reengaged Reputation Partners for communications planning and support around its 2020 Open Enrollment benefits period. Our  team drafted copy for and designed multiple physical and digital assets to show caregiver their health care options.

We again helped the health system communicate around negotiations with the MNA in 2021. Since the 2017 agreement, the MNA had come under the auspices of National Nurses United (NNU), the largest and most militant nurses’ union. Additionally, a new leadership and communications team at the health system included individuals who did not have experience working within a unionized environment. For these negotiations, our team created a research-based, robust and consistent communications apparatus for Hospital management to connect more directly with caregivers. We also recommended and implemented a number of negotiations-focused communications strategies including establishing and managing a thorough communications engine to provide up-to-date bargaining information, media training Hospital leadership and training 150+ caregiver leaders on the dos and don’ts of discussing negotiations. Finally, we created direct responses to help address specific union rhetoric which became increasingly heated as negotiations wore on and. And, after a vote by Union membership to authorize a strike, we developed supplementary communications materials so the health system was prepared to communicate around any eventuality.