In many organizations, great ideas can be doomed by four simple words: Let’s form a committee. Not in Maryland’s Anne Arundel County. Facing a proposal to privatize the water and wastewater utilities, the county Department of Public Works formed a steering committee. Supported by widespread employee involvement, it improved operations substantially. Accomplishments included:• Saving $13 million in payroll and benefits during the last nine years, without job layoffs• Cross-training employees to improve efficiency and productivity• Changing to a skill-based pay system• Reducing costly corrective maintenance and increasing preventive maintenance.Moreover, union and management personnel worked together to make it all happen,
