| From 1995 to 2001 negotiations within the health care sector in Alberta reached impasse. Following an illegal strike in May 2000, the negotiating parties participated in a prenegotiation initiative in attempt to facilitate a change in their relations. This study had two main purposes. First, to explore how the intervention affected conflict transformation; and second, to identify the limitations of a prenegotiation intervention within the context of collective bargaining.;The study approach taken was participatory action research based on a qualitative case study (Kirby & McKenna, 1989), which sought to uncover an understanding of the social conflict inherent in the collective bargaining process. Data sources included public, institutional, and personal documents. The primary source was information gathered from participants in the form of questionnaires and interviews. Highlights of the socio-political context of public sector collective bargaining were presented, and an overview of the process of negotiation as related to the nature of social conflict and its placement within an integrative system of conflict resolution processes was reviewed.;The key findings of the study conclude that while the intervention affected a new level of trust and open communication not experienced between the parties prior to the intervention, its effectiveness was limited by three main factors. These factors were insufficient time, confidentiality constraints, and proscribed authority. Recommendations for future prenegotiation interventions were presented upon these findings. |
