The union and management bargaining teams for Speedy Express Airlines are preparing for upcoming negotiations. The last round of negotiations was disastrous; there was a strike and relationships were damaged. The leadership on both sides would like things to go better this time around and to work toward a more cooperative relationship. Trust between the two groups has eroded over the years, however, and any attempt by the leaders to employ a mutual gains approach likely will not be met with enthusiasm by their constituencies. The three issues on the table for this negotiation are wages, employment security, and medical benefits.

This role simulation has three rounds: an intra-team preparation round, an opening negotiation round, and a final negotiation round. Participants may be given different roles in the different rounds.