What Is BridgeBuilders?

BridgeBuilders was created in response to the members of Local 328 who overwhelmingly told us that workplace conflict and unprofessional conduct by coworkers and managers is as destructive to a safe and healthy workplace as excessive workloads. Our members told us that they needed programs to deal with workplace hostility and conflict and that they wanted these programs in the form of tools and information that members could use to help themselves and work cooperatively with management

BridgeBuilders is a Local 328 initiative which receives support in the form of active participation from OHSU management.

The goal of the program is to teach members an expedited form of peer to peer conflict resolution. BridgeBuilders work with members who participate in a facilitated conflict resolution session between two members who have voluntarily agreed to the process. We only work with members who have expressed an interest in our help.

We do not get involved in situations where discipline, grievances, or formal complaints to Affirmative Action of the Compliance office have occurred. Our goal is to prevent these kinds of problems. Once the problem has moved to those arenas it is out of our hand.

You can read right here about one BridgeBuilder's Experience.

BridgeBuilder Resources

1. Progam introduction - a powerpoint which we use to introduce the program to new BridgeBuilders as well as the public
2. Training manual - this is the first version, we are revising it now, but this will serve as a good first look at the training our BridgeBuilders receive
3. Assignment to first contact - a powerpoint describing the critical first phase of the BridgeBuilders process
4. Intake form and check list
5. Quick reference - a powerpoint which may be used as an introduction to the BridgeBuilders process or as a comprehensive step by step checklist for BridgeBuilders engaged in an intervention
6. BridgeBuilders wiki - an interactive reference to the BridgeBuilders program with supplementant information and links
7. July 2008 BB Training - Read the article and access the training materials

Additional Resouces

1. Calming Upset Members - if you need help dealing with angry or upset members, coworkers or customers the information in this PowerPoint may help
   
2. Conflict Management - Conflict is inevitable. Sooner or later you will have to deal with conflict situations. This PowerPoint will help you understand conflict and your relationship with conflict. You may also download two supplemental documents used when presenting the slide show: Causes of Conflict and Techniques Used to Handle Conflict
3. The Problem Solving Process - In many situtations from Labor/Management meetings, conflict resolution, and grevance settlement discussions a formal problem solving process is useful. You may download a pdf file with the problem solving process we recommend.
4. How To Detect Deception - Use with caution! This Powerpoint will teach you some cues to look for in order to determine whether or not someone is being deceptive. Use this information with caution, all these cues depend on context and none are 100% reliable, they should be used to guide your inquirey, not to accuse anyone of being untruthful.