Page 64 of The List


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“Two percent on wages. Slight increase on the medical benefits. An adjustment in the pension. But nothing on assured overtime, though we’re willing to talk about some additional job positions,” the industrial relations manager said. “On the non-economic side, the paperworkers have already asked for special consideration on their wood yard people. They say there’s too much turnover and the problem is bad supervision. They’ve even threatened a grievance. They claim our supervisor is nuts.”

“Is he?” Bozin asked.

“Wood yard people need a firm hand,” the personnel manager said. “We’ve denied everything. Privately, though, we’ve conceded there is a turnover problem. Also, and again privately, the union has told us they’ll be satisfied with a change of supervisors. We can even wait a couple of months for appearances’ sake.”

Bozin seemed pleased.

“As I understand it,” the CEO said, “Mr. Lee told me privately that we’re supposed to bargain away five years down to three to keep the final concessions down? Five years is not all that important this time.”

“Correct,” Bozin said.

“Are wage increases over and above our first offer on the table? I’ve pressed Mr. Hughes for an answer, but he’s never given me one.”

“There should be no need,” Bozin said, “if we use the five years to our advantage. There’ll probably have to be some wage increases in the final deal, the unions will never be satisfied with two percent, but we’ll just have to see when we get further in. What about Hank Reed, any of you heard anything?”

“He’s been pretty quiet lately,” the personnel manager said. “He was in my office the day before yesterday ready to go balls-to-the-walls, as he put it.”

Brent was fascinated to watch the other side at work. Not a whole lot different from what he and Hank used to do—plotting, planning, trying to second-guess what the company would do next.

“Where’s Hank getting his legal help from these days?” Bozin asked.

“A local lawyer named Lou Greene does all his legal writing,” the personnel manager said. “Hank speaks highly of him. Kind of like the way he used to talk about you, Brent.”

He acknowledged the observation with a nod.

“We still allow Hank to come and go as he pleases?” Bozin asked.

“Best way to keep an eye on him.”

The group chuckled.

“We can count on Reed to have all his ducks in a row,” the CEO said. “He always does. We should be prepared for a fight.”

“I agree,” Bozin said with a nod. “Reed is at his best during negotiations. Let’s not underestimate him.”

The meeting lasted another half hour, the company’s bargaining position finalized. Before adjourning Bozin said he needed to make a quick trip to Atlanta tomorrow but would be back Sunday, present at the negotiations when they opened Monday morning.

As everyone filed out of the conference room, Bozin called out, “If you would, Brent, I’d like to talk with you a moment. Alone.”

They stayed in the conference room with the door closed.

Bozin started the conversation.

“I’m curious, how did you learn about our opening in the general counsel’s office?”

“I saw an ad in theGeorgia Law Journal. Just an accident, really.”

Bozin nodded. “It was sad what happened to your predecessor. So sudden and unexpected. He was a fine man. We were lucky somebody of your caliber came along.”

“Does that mean ‘somebody who used to be connected to Hank Reed’?”

“I’d be lying if I said that didn’t factor into the decision. But we also hired you because you’re a good lawyer. The Fulton County DA spoke highly of you.”

Always good to hear.

“But let’s face facts. You and Reed once gave us fits,” Bozin said.

He smiled. “Just doing my job.”