Genuine respect, training and retraining are fundamental pillars of good industrial relations in Bermuda because they help to reduce conflict in the workplace and enhance productivity, a Government Minister said yesterday.

Labour and Home Affairs Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness made these remarks at the beginning of the fourth Labour Relations seminar at the Princess hotel.

Mr. Edness told the audience which was composed of union and management officials, that genuine respect is fundamental to a sound partnership between Government, labour unions and management.

"There is only one way in my mind to resolve conflict,'' he said. "And that is to have a genuine respect for the people that you are dealing with and who are on the other side of the table from you.'' Moreover, Mr. Edness said that it was extremely important that people involved in negotiations develop this respect which is built on honest dialogue.

"In order to reach that kind of understanding there has to be communication,'' he continued. "We have to have a willingness to communicate with each other so that we do develop an appreciation of where the other side is coming from.'' Such understanding Mr. Edness pointed out, allows each side involved in a negotiation to reach compromises.

Similarly, the Minister said that respect also fosters an environment that allows parties to head off potential conflicts through phone calls and discussion before problems escalate into confrontations.

"We have to concentrate (today) on how to build that respect. Our short term objectives may differ but our long term goals have to be the same.

"If we all have a vision for Bermuda . . . then we have the long term goals of profitability and jobs in common.

"If we can sometimes focus on our common interests and do so by having a respect, understanding and appreciation for the problems that beset the other side, then we may be willing to make the kind of compromises necessary to avoid or to resolve confrontation.'' Mr. Edness said that conflict reduction will allow businesses to focus on methods of increasing productivity and improving services which are necessary in light of increased competition from other countries.

The Minister said that training and retraining for workers was another important issue and he said that Government will be working closely with unions and management to assist with setting up these programmes wherever they are required.

Meanwhile, Mr. Edness said that he would also seek to establish a substance abuse policy in each workplace that had the support of both the trade unions and management so that people who need help can get it.

"One of the most effective ways of dealing with the (drug) problem is to take some time and develop a programme in the workplace,'' he said.

The five day seminar began yesterday. Mr. Don McCabe-Power and his wife, Mrs.

Maureen McCabe-Power of the Human System Development Group and Prof. Dan Kruger, of Michigan State University, are leading the seminars.

Past seminars have examined Labour Law, the Labour Advisory Council, communications and confrontation. Last year the seminars resulted in the publication of the Code of Good Industrial Relations Practice and the Code of Good Employment Practice.

UNIONS UNS