Meet, Talk Openly, Identify Mutual Concerns
The story of the Peoria Area Labor Management Council (PALM) begins in the early 1980s, one of the most difficult times the area has known. The economy was in trouble, and efforts to stem the tide were hampered by the area's reputation as having a poor labor-management climate.
In early 1984, the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce (PACC) gathered a group of business, labor and civic leaders to address a number of issues facing the community. From those discussions came a decision to focus on labor-management relationships in order to improve the image and competitiveness of our area and its industries.
The following year, PACC received funding to form a not-for-profit labor-management council from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service's (FMCS) Labor Management Grant Program. On Nov. 1, 1985, PALM opened its doors in the Chamber offices.
PALM directed much of its early efforts toward helping labor and management get to know each other better. The adversarial nature of past relationships made communication the first order of business, and establishing open communication led to identifying common concerns and mutual interests. That open communication has been the foundation of PALM ever since.
Innovative Partnerships
For more than 25 years, PALM members have formed innovative partnerships to address mutual interests and common concerns. One such partnership led to the development of a healthcare purchasing coop that helped members reduce health insurance premiums and drug coverage costs. Other partnerships led to the development of Moon Walk, a community walking program, and CHIP, the Coronary Health Improvement Project. Those programs have since expired, but working together helped labor and management address the high cost of healthcare.
Today, PALM members partner to focus on relationship building through training and networking opportunities; participate in and support regional economic and workforce development initiatives, especially in the area of career and technical education; and to promote health as a way to reduce health care costs for both labor and management.
PALM is proud to sponsor special events like the annual Labor Day Salute Breakfast, the PALM and TRICON Annual Awards Dinner, the Winter Symposium, and the Union Retiree’ Health Fair.
By “keeping everybody talking,” building relationships between labor and management, and forming innovative partnerships, PALM helps foster a vibrant business climate and a spirit of cooperation in central Illinois.
Click here for a list of PALM Members
Click here for current list of PALM Activities