Combined Company and Union Teamwork Training marks new departure in Irish industry

Siptu President Jack O’Connor joined with Bord na Móna Managing Director Michael Barry to congratulate graduates of a ground-breaking Teamwork Training initiative. In a new departure in Irish industry, the graduates were drawn from different ranks of company and union leadership within Bord na Móna to improve issues resolution and industrial relations generally.

The joint company and Group of Unions programme, aims to equip management and union members with specific teamwork skills. The skills help people at all levels of the company become more competent in the areas of problem solving and teamwork. As employees, shop stewards and management become better team-workers, potential issues of concern get resolved before they escalate into contentious problems. Bord na Móna is amongst the first Irish companies to organise such an initiative.

Speaking at the ceremony in Tullamore Bord na Móna Managing Director Michael Barry said “This is a terrific initiative that equips union and company leaders across Bord na Móna with the right skills to resolve issues together. Overcoming challenges within any business can only be achieved through teamwork. Bord na Móna is no different, the skills acquired by everyone here will only benefit the entire company as issues are resolved, challenges overcome and problems addressed through proper co-operation and collaboration.  I’m delighted to congratulate everyone on their achievement and look forward to extending this programme to more people across Bord na Móna and to progress the Teamwork programme development with our Groups of Unions.

The teamwork programme equips individuals with the relevant knowledge, negotiating skills  and competence to act as an effective member of a team. The coursework focuses on completing team-related tasks under instruction, while taking responsibility for own activities and actions. Similar courses have a proven capacity to aide industrial relations through ‘shop floor’ problem solving and cooperation. The skills also foster a more positive and innovative approach to business challenges from management and employees.