School of Labor-Management Relations
Interest-Based Bargaining (IBB)
Interest-based bargaining has been around for decades with notable successes in manufacturing, education, healthcare, and utilities. Still, the process represents a different approach to bargaining that centralizes all aspects of the negotiation in joint decision-making. Learn the skills necessary to use an effective IBB approach in your next contract.
Burning Issues: What Workers Are Facing in 2023
Virtual EventMondays, 2/27-3/27 via Zoom Class Description: We will examine one critical issue impacting workers and the workplace each week. Guest experts share the latest insights and strategies surrounding current issues. Instructor: Lisa Field is the President of the Labor Guild. She is a long-time labor and social justice activist. She is currently an Associate Director…
Drafting Contract Language to Avoid Grievances
Virtual EventTuesdays, 2/28-3/28 via Zoom Class Description: Grievances and costly arbitrations often arise from unclear contract language. Many locals and employers do not use attorneys to assist with drafting during the collective bargaining process, and sometimes disputes arise from ambiguous provisions. This process will provide you with tools to create outcomes at the table and reduce…
Collective Bargaining Negotiations
Virtual EventSpecial Workshop - Wednesdays, 3/1-4/12 via Zoom Workshop Description: Take the mystery out of the bargaining process and learn the inside game of collective bargaining negotiations. This hands-on, nuts and bolts course involves the participants in all aspects of negotiating a collective bargaining agreement. It includes lectures, educational materials, simulated bargaining sessions, strategy development, and bargaining…
Coalition Building 101
Virtual EventMondays, 4/24-5/22 via Zoom Class Description: Coalitions can be identified in many ways. They can be called community groups, organizations, or initiatives. Coalitions create an opportunity to educate and effect change by bringing together groups/individuals who support a common goal or issue. At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to determine if…
Basic Steward Training
Virtual EventTuesdays, 4/25-5/23 via Zoom Course Description: This course will cover the basic duties and responsibilities of a Shop Steward. Building your skills by emphasizing strategic planning for local unions, member mobilization, recording documentation, and the grievance process. Students will participate in case studies to develop and enhance problem-solving techniques to navigate through daily issues swiftly…
Labor Arbitration I
Virtual EventTuesdays, 4/25-5/23 via Zoom Course Goal: To understand the arbitration process and the ways it is used in labor relations disputes. By the end of the course, participants will know how to use the grievance procedure and work with other representatives and attorneys to prepare an effective presentation before an arbitrator. Who Should Take It: Union and…
The American Labor Relations System: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
Virtual EventCourse Description: The American Labor Relations System: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow will explore how labor history has shaped today’s unions, as well as the challenges and opportunities unions may face in the future. Over the course of five weeks, the class will discuss key moments in labor history, how state and federal labor laws have…
Massachusetts Public Sector Law
Virtual EventCourse Description: In this five-session class, we will explore the basic structure of public sector labor law in Massachusetts and how to make use of other statutory remedies to be a more effective public sector union officer or activist. We will be exploring the basics of the Mass General Law statute for Collective Bargaining, going…
Conflict Resolution
Virtual EventCourse Description: An Advanced Communications Skills workshop for union leaders and members. This workshop contains all of the elements necessary to help participants identify, understand, and correct their communication shortcomings, enabling them to become first-rate, one-on-one communicators and conflict resolvers. This interactive program addresses listening skills, feedback skills, and consensus decision-making. Students learn teamwork, problem-solving,…
Understanding, Reviewing and Amending Bylaws
Virtual EventCourse Description: We will review the importance and function of your union bylaws; what they should and should not include; how to review, evaluate and amend them; their place in relation to other governance policies and laws; and, when and how formal bylaw interpretations may be made. You will receive tools like a checklist of…
Advanced Steward Training
Virtual EventCourse Description: This course will build on the skills students developed in the Basic Steward Training course by emphasizing Strategic Planning for local unions, member mobilization, and the grievance process. Students will participate in case studies to develop and enhance problem-solving techniques and member mobilization skills. To make the course more meaningful, students should bring…