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Washington, D.C.-The National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) received an award today from the Society of Federal Labor Relations Professionals in recognition of its interest-based negotiations (IBN) process for dispute resolution with the U.S. Customs Service. IBN is an alternative to traditional labor-management negotiations, which are often adversarial, prolonged and costly.

"Open dialogue and compromise are encouraged under IBN, as opposed to a traditional approach that values hard lines and confrontation," said NTEU President Colleen M. Kelley. "When both sides are committed to the IBN approach, it can work. But that's not to say it is the appropriate or most beneficial approach in all cases."

Together, NTEU and the Customs Service have trained over 150 employees in both facilitation techniques and the interest-based process since the parties agreed in 1996 to require the use of IBN for all national and local contract agreements. The agreements reached using IBN have addressed a myriad of issues, ranging from awards programs to alternative work schedules and flexiplace to uniforms for the inspection workforce.

The award, "Most Innovative Relationship," was jointly presented to NTEU and the Customs Service during the Society's 26' annual symposium.