The strike at Waste Management is one more example of what happens when management treats the contract negotiations as a game rather than as a debate.

When the game must be won rather than a compromise reached so that everyone is respected and satisfied.

When the workforce that actually touches and delivers the product is treated like a liability to be minimized rather than an asset to be nourished. It always comes down to a question of attitude and Waste Management has now proven that their deeds do not match their words.

Instead of spinning the facts for the media, management needs to start working to understand how value is added to their product.

The various City and County jurisdictions where the trash will not be picked up need to immediately impose the fines, allowed under their respective contracts, so that Waste Management will sit back down at the bargaining table and negotiate in good faith.

Hank Thomas

Issaquah