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Labor negotiations usually take place during formal, official, and visible meetings. Nevertheless, they can also be hidden if negotiators decide or agree to meet away from the view of management and employees. In this article, we draw upon Goffman’s dramaturgical perspective (Goffman 1959) applied to labor bargaining (Friedman 1994) to shed light upon the hidden part of the negotiation of downsizing programs. During these episodes, the outcome of the bargaining process is uncertain. In this context, the role played by secret encounters in achieving a satisfying agreement appears to be crucial.