CLRP® Paper Requirements

Steps for Writing Your CLRP® Paper

Submit Verification Form with a topic and outline for your paper
Topic/Outline will be reviewed by committee
Notification of Topic/Outline approval
Prepare and write paper. Prior to submitting, have a colleague review and comment, then revise, rewrite then proofread.
Submit draft of paper
Paper will be then reviewed by the Academy Essay Review Committee
You will receive recognition of approval, or notice to revise and resubmit
Receive certification of CLRP®

Deadline

The paper is due within six months of completion of all three Academy programs.

Length

The CLRP® Paper must be at least 6 pages and no more than 12 pages single-spaced or at least 12 pages and no more than 24 pages double-spaced.

Format

The paper format includes the title page with the title of the paper and the author's name. It is written in the style of an article for a professional journal. The author's full name, title, address, phone number and email address must appear at the end of the paper. Cite sources as appropriate.

Subject

The proposed subject matter (topic) and outline for the paper are first submitted to the Academy Committee for acceptance. Submit an outline for your topic that begins with a 3 to 4 sentence paragraph stating the purpose of the paper and then supporting outline points.

Ideas

Your paper must discuss, in depth, a subject related to one or more of the three Academies, and the academy/academies referenced should be included within the body of your paper. You are encouraged to select a topic that interests you and one that allows you to make a contribution to the field of labor relations. Be creative! Try to relate the topic to an experience in labor relations. Some suggested topics are:

Scope of Bargaining

Contracting Out
Impact vs. decision bargaining
Tests of good faith bargaining
Mandatory vs. permissive subjects

Preparation for Negotiations

Effective presentations in closed sessions
The importance of accurate costing
Assembling a total package

Labor Contract / Collective Bargaining Agreement Provisions

How a contract is organized
Appellate process in the labor contract
Legal provisions and their importance
Writing clear and unambiguous contract language

Arbitration

Rules of contract construction
Preparing an arbitration case
The Arbitration Hearing
Standards of proof

Negotiations

Effective techniques
negotiating pitfalls and how to avoid them
Impasse procedures
Interest-based bargaining
Work actions (strikes, sick-outs, slow-downs)

Final Paper

The completed paper must be emailed to Rick Hunt, Academy Chair for final approval. With your permission, the final paper will be duplicated, made available to other National PELRA members and posted on the National PELRA website. Also, and with your permission, outstanding papers may be submitted for publication to professional journals or periodicals.