UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO -- Thursday hundreds of people in the labor force and management will convene at Nitschke hall at the University of Toledo to boost morale and reflect on their strong partnership.

Wednesday was a run through of slides and time for a few last minutes preps for the 22nd Annual Conference on Labor-Management Cooperation.

“If I had my way, we would be here all week showing all the great work that's being done in now with labor and management working together,” said Northwest Ohio Center for Labor Management Cooperation Executive Director Sandra Simon.

Northwest Ohio has a 62-year history of labor and management working together.  Former UAW Regional Director Jack Sizemore admits it hasn't always been easy.

“But, we found ways to do it and they've found ways to work with us.  And I think the world's a lot better off.  At least Northwest Ohio's a lot better off today,” said Sizemore.

One example of this cooperation is the partnership between u-a-w local 14 and general motors.

“The last 20-some years, they've been working together to create and retain jobs at our facility right here on Alexis Avenue,” said Simon.  GM has invested roughly $800 million in its Alexis Road Powertrain plant over the last year.

The late Joseph Tomasi was a long-time promoter of labor-management cooperation.  Thursday Local 14 and GM Powertrain will be awarded the Joe Tomasi spirit award, which recognizes things like employment security and team building.  Sizemore says the secret to this success is communication.

“Sometimes you can't solve them, but if you can only listen, and try to solve them, you'll understand them and they'll understand you a little better.”

At the convention there will be a motivational speaker as well as presentations from Chrysler's Vice President and the UAW's vice president...efforts to boost morale and keep progressive ideas flowing.

The convention is Thursday, May 8 at UT's Nitschke hall form 8am to 2pm.