Waiting....

For the "real deal" is a challenge. The proposals, that I am not able to reveal tonight, are in management's court. The executive teams from management and labor have caucused numerous times today. We have been instructed to be cautious in what we say on the blogs and e-mails. I have been very impressed by the solidarity that has been demonstrated by this diverse coalition. We all have widely varying issues and concerns, yet we manage to reach consensus. Our common interest as brothers and sisters, employees and employer, is to sustain the business that feeds us. Last night John August spoke of the "tragedy of the commons"- a situation in which multiple individuals, acting independently, and solely and rationally consulting their own self-interest, will ultimately deplete a shared limited resource even when it is clear that it is not in anyone's long-term interest for this to happen. This thing called "The Partnership" is a treasure. And our jobs- there is no Health care system in the world today that is as elegant as kaiser Permanente, and we have the best health care jobs in the world. We must not repeat the "tragedy", and preserve our sustaining "commons".
I am eagerly anticipating a signed agreement tonight!