Academy 2: The Grievance Arbitration Process

Academy 2 teaches participants about the role of arbitration in union-management relations from the perspective of the practitioner, the arbitrator, and the advocate. This workshop addresses responding to a grievance, rules of contract administration and how and when to raise the question of arbitrability. Participants will draft a response to a grievance and learn how to improve their skills in preparing and presenting a winning case. Interactive exercises throughout the day in choosing an arbitrator and selecting witnesses are designed to build expertise. The last exercise of the Academy, based of videos and facts of the case, you get to be the arbitrator and determine the ruling.

Academy 3: The Negotiations Process

Academy 3 focuses on the negotiation process through classroom teaching as well as a negotiation simulation involving economics, reclassification and benefit issues that give participants an opportunity to sharpen their skills. For the negotiations simulation, the class is divided into management and union teams. This interactive workshop on thorny problems and issues such as the timing of settlements, impasse strategies and multi-year contracts precedes the simulation and debriefing. Finally, a discussion on "The Perspective of the Negotiator" rounds out the day from a management panel.

The Investigations Process

Human resources and labor relations professionals are often called upon to conduct workplace investigations in the face of serious and sensitive allegations, from claims of sexual harassment/other discrimination to allegations of workplace misconduct to major ethical questions. Yet few of us have had real training on how to conduct an investigation.

The Investigations Academy offers an opportunity to explore the critical role of employers and supervisors in addressing workplace issues through formal action. It emphasizes the importance of gathering reliable statements, facts, and supporting details—skills that require dedication, fairness, and a deep understanding of how to conduct a thorough, legal investigation. Through engaging exercises and insightful discussions on best practices, attendees will gain practical skills and knowledge, equipping them to lead effective investigations and empower senior leadership with the tools to manage personnel confidently and compliantly.

While not every leader will serve as the lead investigator in an incident, they are responsible for ensuring policies and local/state laws are upheld. By understanding the investigation process, leaders will gain vital insights into the importance of preserving information and handling employee interactions with care and professionalism. The Investigations Academy inspires confidence in tackling workplace challenges with integrity and expertise, fostering a culture of accountability and compliance.

This program will explore the investigatory process - from who should conduct the investigation, legal issues to beware of, how to order and structure investigatory interviews, dealing with Garrity issues, and how to generate an end-product that will help your employer resolve what happened and what needs to be done. The program will focus on identifying the key elements of an effective workplace investigation process, and help attendees understand the importance of the process and the consequences if it is not done properly.

Participants will:

• Learn the purpose and importance of a complete and thorough investigation
• Review the key elements of an effective workplace investigation
• Learn the investigatory interview process - who, what, when, where, why and how
• Learn how and what to document
• Understand the roles and responsibilities of supervisor, employee, and union
• Discuss how to determine credibility and analyze investigation result
• Learn the common mistakes and what causes investigations to fail
• Learn the multiple types of investigations

Costing a Labor Contract

Focuses on the concepts and techniques for determining the value and cost of employer and union proposals, and the terms of the contract settlement. 

This Academy will cover techniques and approaches to costing, as well as provide you with the tools to be better prepared at the bargaining table to successfully argue and negotiate your positions. Through the use of interactive discussion and exercises, participants will explore alternative methodologies and identify key financial components, including hidden and often overlooked elements of a labor agreement, in order to accurately determine the actual total cost to your jurisdiction. 

Topics include common costing definitions, types of data, 1% of pay, demographics, total package costing, and resources available. Costing exercises on wages, including progression and steps, vacation and holidays, health insurance, productive and non-productive hours and tentative agreements. 

This academy is must for Labor Relations practitioners, HR staff, financial team and other support staff involved in costing out proposals and collective bargaining agreements.