RECORDING: Some Class #1
There's a situation brewing at Busways that perfectly illustrates this
DEMO ONLY
Ever wonder why some workplace conflicts feel impossible to solve?
There's a situation brewing at Busways that perfectly illustrates this - a classic Mexican standoff between management, bus drivers, and their union. But this isn't your typical labor dispute.
The core issue? Two different industrial awards for the same exact job. Different pay. Different leave. Different entitlements. Same steering wheel, same routes, same passengers.
It's like having two chefs in the same kitchen, cooking the same meals, but one gets paid more and gets better benefits simply because they started earlier. The newer chef might have the same skills, same passion, same dedication - but they're treated as second-class citizens.
This creates what psychologists call "relative deprivation" - where people become frustrated not because of what they lack in absolute terms, but because of what they lack compared to others. And that's just the beginning of the psychological powder keg.
The real cost isn't measured in dollars and cents. It's measured in trust destroyed, relationships fractured, and motivation crushed. When people feel the system is inherently unfair, they stop believing in the possibility of positive change.
But here's what makes this situation fascinating: Each party believes they're acting rationally in their own best interests. Management wants to control costs. Veteran drivers want to protect their benefits. Newer drivers want equal treatment. The union wants to maintain its relevance and power.
And yet, by acting in their own interests, they've created a situation where everyone loses.
The question isn't who's right or wrong. The question is: How do we transform this standoff into a breakthrough?
In the next piece, we'll explore why traditional negotiation approaches fail in these situations - and what psychology tells us about breaking through seemingly impossible deadlocks.
But first, ask yourself: What would it take for each party to see this situation through the others' eyes?
