30 October 2009 – News Release:

This week, Clive Lewis, Globis founder and MD was interviewed for an article on the BBC’s website. The article, entitled “Doing deals between angry parties” outlines what mediation is and explains some of the key tactics employed to get a successful outcome.

After negotiations between Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union (CWU) failed to reach agreement despite three days of talks being attended by the TUC’s Brendan Barber, the latest postal strikes are in full swing. Clive, an experienced mediator himself, who has settled hundreds of cases, said that disputes can have several different issues, some not entirely related to the main bone of contention. Pay, working hours and plans for modernisation might all play a part. Something like the issues among the CWU and Royal Mail.

Mediation is used to solve thousands of cases across the UK. There are a number of important key points to follow for a mediation to be successful. Neutral venues to both parties have obvious advantages in creating the right atmosphere; the mediator also operates neutrally in their role. The mediator does not express any views as to the merits of a case being put forward by each side. Their role is to ensure that the parties reach as full an understanding as possible of the strengths and weaknesses of their own and their opponent’s cases. The mediator will guide parties to a point where ideally they reach a settlement.

To view the full article click here

Note to Editors:

•  Globis is one of the UK’s leading providers of workplace mediation services
•  Globis founder and director, Clive Lewis is a Board member of the Civil Mediation Council and author of ‘The Definitive Guide to Mediation at Work’
• A new ACAS code of practice introducing mediation for the first time was introduced in April 2009
• Globis recently trained 16 mediators at East Sussex County Council leading to the implementation of an in-house mediation scheme which has delivered cost savings of £500,000 in one year. East Sussex County Council is on the short list for the CIPD 2009 awards for the introduction of the scheme.

For more information please call Clive Lewis or Jack Fallow on 0800 345 7703 or email info@globis.co.uk