LBRL 0005 - Labor Relations Training for Managers and Supervisors in a Unionized Setting
Course Description
As a frontline supervisor or manager, you continuously face new employment challenges. An effective supervisor/manager must be able to spot potential problems early and resolve them before they become costly grievances or lawsuits.
Get the hands-on skills you need to address the issues facing managers in a union setting. Gain knowledge and confidence to deal with union contract regulations with conviction, understand the laws and how arbitration works, and avoid unnecessary grievances.
This course is preapproved by the Society for Human Resource Management for 14 Professional Development Credits (PDCs) toward the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP.
Course Outline/Topics
Introduction to Unions
- Common reasons why employees choose a union
- The supervisor’s role in union relations
- The union steward – the proper role
- An employee’s right to union representation – understanding the NLRB’s “Weingarten” Decision
Know and Understand All of the Rules
- Administering the union contract while maintaining productivity
- Labor and Employment Discrimination laws every supervisor should know
– National Labor Relations Act
– Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
– The Civil Rights Act of 1991
– The Age Discrimination in the Employment Act
– The Americans with Disabilities Act
– The Family and Medical Leave Act
– State Workers’ Compensation Laws - Conducting an Effective Investigation
- Employee Discipline
– Making it stick
The Grievance Process and Arbitration:
- What is the purpose of the grievance process? Discovery
– Reaching settlement - What is arbitration and how is it different from a trial?
– Format
– Binding nature - Effective contract administration – how to avoid going to arbitration
- Living with one another: developing a nonconfrontational relationship
- Avoiding unnecessary grievances
- Effective use of the grievance procedure
- Alternatives to arbitration
What the arbitrator looks for:
- Disputes over employee discipline
- Disputes over contract language
- Common issues that frequently arise at arbitration
– Past practice on contract interpretation
– Making sure the penalty fits the crime
– Credibility issues
– Language of the contract
– Language of limitation
Winning Arbitration Strategies
- Preparation for arbitration – winning your case before the hearing starts
- Testifying at the arbitration hearing
- How the arbitrator really decides cases
Benefits and Learning Outcomes
- Recognize the employment laws that every supervisor should know
- Discuss arbitration and how it differs from a trial
- Learn ways to avoid unnecessary grievances
Testimonials
"The experience Harry Secaras and Steven Bierig brought to the course allowed them to convey the information using real examples of how the materials apply in our day to day roles. Their videos, examples, stories and activities were the highlight of the course for me. Both also demonstrated a genuine interest in the learners and spent additional time after class answering questions. Great experience overall!"
-Karen Moss, Sr HR Manager, Aggreko, 2018
"Very informative and great instructors. They provided many real life examples that helped connect the concepts to something tangible…Steve was very knowledgeable and encouraged participation and also had videos to break up the lecture. Breakout out period at the end was very helpful. Harry was also very knowledgeable and provided many real life examples that were helpful. He asked the group questions and welcomed debate, which was interesting. I wouldn’t change anything – the day went by fast. I would highly recommend this course."
-Cole Smith, Human Resources Generalist, Systems Control, 2018
Instructors
Partners & Professional Credits
- Society for Human Resource Management 14.0 PDCs
Applies Towards the Following Credentials
- Labor Relations Certificate : Core