Administering the Contract: Grievance Handling and Arbitrating Workplace Disputes

The success of a contract is measured not only by the results at the bargaining table, but also in its implementation on the shop floor, at the call center, or in the warehouse in the years following ratification. Contract interpretation and implementation issues are among those frequently overlooked concerning management’s successful administration of a collective bargaining agreement.

This unique course not only discusses the mechanics of the grievance procedure, but also stresses the importance of managing the workforce over and above the scope of the collective bargaining agreement.

Instructors explain the typical “steps” in many contracts’ grievance provisions, and drawing upon real world examples, participants experience role playing exercises to illustrate the various ways grievance and arbitration processes are implemented.

When grievances are not resolved, arbitration can ensue, resulting in a protracted, expensive resolution. While the mechanics and management obligations for arbitrations are explored, the course focuses on the strategic resolution of grievances, the role of grievance filing by unions as a corporate campaign tactic, and the arbitration “go/no-go” decision-making process.

As a component of the HR Policy Association Labor Relations Professional Certification series, course exercises are drawn from scenarios described in HR Policy Associations’s Labor Relations Professional Certification Case and Exhibits book.

Cancellation Policy:  Registrants who notify the Association of their inability to attend a training course for which they have previously registered and paid will receive their choice of either a full refund of their registration fee or a credit toward a future HR Policy Association course for the same amount, if written notice is received by the Association 10 or more calendar days in advance of the event. If written notice is received fewer than 10 days in advance of the course, either a substitute participant may attend or 50 percent of the paid registration fee will be credited to the member’s account toward a future HR Policy Association course.  Registrants who do not provide advance written notification of their inability to attend an event will be ineligible for a credit, refund, or substitution. All crediting and refunds are processed following the close of each event. Unused credits resulting from training courses will expire within one year from the beginning date of the course and are non-refundable.

HR Policy Association / LRPCertification

Delivery

Materials

The Stowe Grievance Case Study - It is important that you read and are familiar with the Stowe grievance case study prior to the course. It will be the basis for the final group activity.