It’s often said in leadership circles: Take care of your people and they will take care of the mission. 

With that in mind, leaders from Hill and the local union meet regularly to take part in an Installation Partnership Forum.

The Hill Installation Partnership Forum collaborates on decisions and issues concerning the workplace outside of the traditional bargaining process. It meets on a bimonthly basis to discuss current issues, partnering initiatives and future changes that may impact employees. 

“Hill’s Installation Partnership Forum is an extension of the already strong relationship we have with the union,” said Col. Ron Jolly, 75th Air Base Wing commander. “Together we have found new and innovative ways of supporting common goals and interests.”

The forum is focused on the following principles:

• Value and respect all members of the workforce

• Focus on common interests and shared problems rather than on rights and conflicting positions

• Share information openly and freely

• Build trust and treat each other as equals

• Give priority to sustaining the “partnership” process

“The partnership forum ensures the union will be co-chair, along with the complex and base commanders,” said Monty Lewis, American Federation of Government Employees Local 1592 president. “This is crucial to make certain the employees’ concerns and issues are heard. Then, together, we create and sustain an environment to take care of the workers so they can focus on the mission.”

The Hill forum was established in November 2012. Since then, the partnership has realized many successes that have positively affected employees’ health, safety and quality of life.