Education and Training Services Calendar

Collective Bargaining Institutes Basic Class
Madison, Wisconsin

Course topics include administering the labor agreement, labor history and the Boilermakers’ history, collective bargaining, workers and the global economy, safety and health, listening skills, strategic communication, and structure and services of the Boilermakers union.

Collective Bargaining Institutes Advanced Class
Madison, Wisconsin

Covers advanced topics such as legislative issues, letter writing tips, problem solving and grievance handling, common sense economics, health care bargaining, and building the union.

Union Skills Courses
Silver Spring, Maryland

During the academic year, NLC offers more than seventy week-long labor education classes in areas such as arbitration, organizing, negotiations, safety & health, union building and leadership development. Specialized certificates are available.

A complete list of classes is available at the National Labor College website.

Open Learning Courses
Online

The National Labor College has launched a new cutting-edge union education tool called the Open Learning Course (OLC) program. The OLC is offered free and is a self-directed, web-based learning activity that offers opportunities for union members, leaders, activists and staff to study new topics of interests and improve their current understanding of the labor movement.

A complete list of classes is available at the National Labor College website.

Costing Out Contracts (LB409)
Online

This is a practical, how-to-workshop to give union negotiators and bargaining committee members the skills they need to prepare for contract negotiations. Exercises are used throughout the workshop to illustrate how to calculate the projected costs of an agreement.

Register online for this course or contact Alice Torres at (585) 262-4440 or by e-mail at amb27@cornell.edu

Contemporary Labor Issues (LS015)
Online

The focus of this course will be on the "revitalization" of the U.S. labor movement and the context in which this revitalization must occur.

View more information and register online or contact Alice M. Torres at amb27@cornell.eduamb27@cornell.edu or call 585-262-4440.

Motivation and Productivity (LB668)
Online

Register online for this course or contact Alice Torres at (585) 262-4440 or by e-mail at amb27@cornell.edu

Advanced Negotiation Skills (LB407)
Online

This three-week online workshop is designed to help bargaining committee members understand the process and strategies for negotiating a contract. Participants will conduct mock bargaining sessions and role plays and will learn from union leaders from across the country. Some familiarity with collective bargaining is not required but will be helpful.

Register online for this course or contact Alice Torres at (585) 262-4440 or by e-mail at amb27@cornell.edu

Labor, Government & Politics (LS246)
Online

Working people are greatly affected by political institutions, but may be somewhat mystified about how they work, and somewhat wary about whether they are honorable. In this course students will explore the political party system and political campaigns, the role of "interest groups" and lobbies, and the impact of news media in shaping public opinion. The emphasis will be on the relationship between the federal, state and local government, labor unions, and the people they represent.

View more information and register online or contact Alice M. Torres at amb27@cornell.eduamb27@cornell.edu or call 585-262-4440.

Employment Practices and the Law (LS248)
Online

Upon entering the workforce, individuals are typically unaware of the laws governing the employer/employee relationship and may think they have rights that don't exist. In this course students will examine both federal and state laws governing public and private sector workplaces and will review examples from industries such as manufacturing, services, and construction. Among the laws to be studied are those protecting workers from discriminatory practices, regulating wages and hours of work, providing for job safety and health, and affording benefits to workers who are disabled or unemployed. The focus will be on the practical application of laws and their impact on the workplace and American society.

View more information and register online or contact Alice M. Torres at amb27@cornell.eduamb27@cornell.edu or call 585-262-4440.

Running Effective Meetings (LB517)
Online

Conducted skillfully, meetings can provide an efficient and effective mechanism for problem solving and completing tasks. This three-week online workshop will help equip participants with the skills and knowledge needed to keep meetings productive and focused, whether you are leading or participating in them.

Register online for this course or contact Alice Torres at (585) 262-4440 or by e-mail at amb27@cornell.edu

Strategic Action Planning (LB512)
Online

Register online for this course or contact Alice Torres at (585) 262-4440 or by e-mail at amb27@cornell.edu

Grievance Writing (LB419)
Online

Register online for this course or contact Alice Torres at (585) 262-4440 or by e-mail at amb27@cornell.edu

Negotiating Labor Agreements
Cambridge, Massachusetts

Seminar utilizes a problem-solving, interest-based approach to collective bargaining, and provides a five-phase road map to the bargaining process. Current challenges and opportunities, including health care, green jobs, conflict resolution systems, new work systems, and workplace training are also addressed.

Designed for union and management negotiators in the public and private sectors, whether newly appointed or deeply knowledgeable, this seminar provides the tools, methods, and insights that can lead to better collective bargaining outcomes.

[Register]

Program on Grievance Arbitration for Unions
Champaign, Illinois

This full week’s training will prepare experienced union leaders how to conduct arbitrations, using case studies and simulations.

Who Should Attend:
Union staff, local officers, stewards & grievers, who may be part of the arbitration process—anyone who may present, help prepare, or appear as a witness in an arbitration.

Topics:

• Survey of the arbitration process, its sources, structure, pros and cons
• Selecting an arbitrator: how to research the choice
• Preparing the case: documents, witnesses, theory of the case
• Just cause in discipline and discharge and use of evidence
• Presentation skills: direct and cross examination, opening and closing statements, objections
• Mock hearing with time for preparation and debrief with instructors and professional arbitrator

[More Information][Register]

Winning Grievances & Arbitrations
Edmonton, Alberta

This three day comprehensive program will highlight the considerations that you need to make before you take a grievance to arbitration. Have you exhausted all other options for a settlement to be made? Or is this a business or principled decision that requires the award of an arbitrator? Have you used the grievance process to fact find? Have you considered both mitigating and aggravating factors? In this program, you will learn how to use the grievance process to your advantage and to prepare for arbitration if necessary.
[More information][Register]