Wayne State University Labor Studies Center People at Labor Day Parade

Programs
& Classes
for
Individuals

WSU Labor Studies Center staff greet students

Short Courses

Designed for union leaders, staff and activists, these courses and workshops present union skills in a concentrated format. Taught by instructors with first-hand experience in labor relations, courses are offered in a variety of formats and lengths. Workshops run two to three hours in length. Case histories, simulations, and up-to-date materials give participants the chance to learn new skills and refine old ones.

The courses listed below are offered one or more times a year, depending on schedules and enrollment. Classes meet in the morning and evening, are held at the Wayne State campus or convenient off-site locations. For additional information or to schedule classes at your facility, contact Gayle Hamilton
313-577-2191, av6012@wayne.edu.

To take these and other skills courses as part of a full certificate program, check out the Labor School. To arrange special on site skills and strategy courses for your union, click here

 

Four to Seven Week Courses


A class may be closed if filled & may be canceled if enrollment is low, therefore to ensure your spot, please register at least 2-weeks before the beginning of the class.Cancellation fees will be charged to those who cancel after the 1st class.

 

LEADING A DIVERSE UNION

This course is designed to increase cultural awareness, examine the changing nature of the workforce, and develop practical skills to ensure all members are treated with respect and that diversity is valued as strength in the union. 4-Weeks, $40 Fee.


LDU1 Tuesday evenings: 6:30pm– 9:00pm January 8, 2008—January 29, 2008
LDU2 Saturday mornings: 9:30 AM – 12:00 noon Jan. 12, 2008—February 2, 2008

Both classes will be held on the WSU main campus in Room 115 of the Cohn Building, WSU campus. Download a flyer with registration information here.

 

UNION COMMUNICATIONS

Effective leaders and workplace activists communicate at many different levels. This course builds your skills to communicate in writing (flyers, surveys and newsletters), identify ways to use the internet, reach out to the media, talk one-on-one with fellow workers, and build a volunteer worker-to-worker communication network. 6-weeks, fee $65.


UC1 Tuesdays, 2/19/08—3/25/08, 9:30 AM—12:00 NOON
UC2 Wednesday, 2/20/08—3/26/08, 6:30 PM –9:30 PM

PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE

Newly elected officer? Heading a committee? Selected as delegate? Learn the basics of parliamentary procedure when conducting or participating in meetings of any size. This class will get you confidently through motions, votes and amendments with the objective of holding an orderly meeting that stays on track. 7-weeks, fee $75.00.


PP1 Wednesdays, 3/26/08—5/7/08, 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
PP2 Saturdays, 3/29/08—5/10/08, 9:30 AM – 12:00 NOON


LABOR LAW

Learn the legal principles that govern the relationship between unions and employers and, unions and its members by reviewing federal and state laws, court decisions and NLRB-MERC rulings. You will examine the laws around “concerted activity”, the duty to bargain in good faith, unfair labor practices, the duty of fair representation and the rights granted unions during organizing campaigns. 7-weeks, fee $75.00.


LL1 Tuesdays, 3/25/08—5/6/08, 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM

 

Saturday Training Series

Grievance Handlers Series

This training series covers the essential knowledge and skills for effective grievance handling in a new condensed format. All classes will be held on Saturdays, 9:00AM – 3:00 PM on the main campus of WSU in Room 115 of the Cohn Building. Box lunch will be provided. Sign up for all three for only $150.

GHT1 WHAT EVERY UNION REPRESENTATIVE SHOULD KNOW: RIGHTS, DUTIES AND STANDARDS.

In this course, learn the rights and responsibilities of the steward, how to recognize grievances and the importance of knowing your grievance procedure. So, bring your contract to class. February 23, 2008. Fee $60.00. Box lunch will be provided.

GHT2 INVESTIGATING, WRITING AND PRESENTING GRIEVANCES.

Be an effective advocate when investigating, writing and presenting grievances. This course shows you the dos and don’ts of effective grievance handling, how to access employer held information and how to write and present a grievance confidently. March 1, Fee $60.00. Box lunch will be provided.


GHT3 ARBITRATION PREPARATION.

This course will develop the skills of the novice and strengthen the skills of any experienced advocate. You will analyze sample disciplinary cases and prepare effective arguments around “just cause” principles and evidence gathered in preparation for an arbitration hearing. March 8, 2008. Fee $60.00. Box lunch will be provided.
**sign up for all three classes for $150**

 

Bargaining and Negotiation Series


COLLECTIVE BARGAINING

Whether you are a union negotiator or simply want a better understanding of this important process, this two-week course provides practical skills and knowledge related to contract negotiations. This course examines the legal framework of collective bargaining: the dynamics of the collective bargaining process; reaching an agreement and avoiding impasse; costing wages and benefits; and contract campaigns and the strategic use of power. 2-weeks (must attend both dates). Fee $120.00. Box lunch provided.

CB1 Saturdays 9:00 AM—3:00 PM, 3/22/08 and 3/29/08


COSTING-OUT THE CONTRACT

Both union and management employer negotiators must be able to estimate the cost of any proposed change to the collective bargaining agreement. This course will enable you to calculate the costs associated with changes in wages, paid holidays, and pension and health care benefits, as well as roll-up costs associated with the impact of wage changes on fringe benefit costs. You also will be able to calculate the cents-per-hour cost of new contract provisions. Fee $60.00. Box lunch provided.

COC1 Saturday, 4/5/08


NEGOTIATING EFFECTIVELY: INTEREST-BASED BARGAINING

Everyone negotiates. Colleagues, spouses, unions, corporations, even nations negotiate. This course will enable union (and management) participants to recognize and avoid the biases and psychological traps that limit bargaining effectiveness; utilize the principles and practices of highly effective negotiators; and apply a systematic framework for improving negotiation outcomes. Special attention will be given to the application of these principles and practices of labor-management negotiations and problem solving. Fee $60.00. Box lunch provided.

UAN1 Saturday, 4/12/08

How to Register

You have several options to register:

1. Contact us at the numbers below

2. Download a registration form in pdf format and mail the complete form to us.

If you are using UAW-Big Three tuition benefits you can download the forms here.

 

For more information:


Call: (313) 577-2191
Fax: (313) 577-7726

 

 

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