The chart below will help you sort out your members' priorities and boil down the preliminary work you have done into a set of simple proposals. Your program should reflect the areas you identify in the chart. But don't worry if you can't fit them all in. The model clauses at the back of this handbook show that few collective agreement provisions on basic skills training cover all the aspects included in a comprehensive program. But they are important steps along the way.
One way to get an overall perspective is to list your wants, needs and expectations for the program. Wants are all the items you would like to have in your program - your wish list! Needs are all the items from the first list that you absolutely need in order to have a successful program. Expectations are the items you think you can reach agreement on with the employer. Rank each of your union's wants, needs and expectations in terms of "absolutely must have", "important", "can live without." Once you know your priorities, you should be able to form the core of your proposal.
| Absolutely must have | Important to have | Would like to have, but can live without | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wants (your wish list) | |||
| Needs (what is key to make things work) | |||
| Expectations (what time employer might agree to) |