Revised by Randy Helt
August 2003
1.0 Course Title:
Negotiations and Labor Relations
2.0 Catalog Number:
AD116U
3.0 Credit Hours:
3
3.1 Lecture hours:
3
4.0 Course Description:
Reviews the history of current labor and management
positions. The role of the supervisor in solving labor
disputes and grievances is examined. Students participate in
mock bargaining negotiations, observing and critiquing the
conduct that occurs in live bargaining. Issues in the
maintenance of union-free working environments are also
discussed.
5.0 Prerequisites:
None
6.0 General Course Goals: Students will be introduced to labor law and common
bargaining practices. They will demonstrate an
understanding of the evolution of labor unions, as well as
an understanding of projected trends for membership and
purpose.
7.0 Major Units of
Instruction:
I.
Factors Facilitating Union Membership and History of
the American Labor Movement
II. Labor Law and Regulatory Agencies
III. Structure of Labor Organizations
IV. Union Organizing
V. Collective Bargaining
VI. Preparation for Negotiations
VII. Negotiating an Agreement
VIII. Impasse and Impasse Resolution
IX. Public Sector Labor Relations
X. Contract Administration: Implementing an Agreement
XI. Maintenance of a Union-Free Environment
X.
Current Challenges in Labor-Management Relations
8.0 Course Objectives:
I. Factors Facilitating Union Membership and History of the American Labor Movement
A. Discuss the factors that lead employees to see union representation.
B. Discuss major events in the American Labor Movement.
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Revised by Randy Helt
August 2003
C. Discuss three pioneers in the American Labor Movement.
D. Discuss key terms.
II. Labor Law and Regulatory Agencies
A.
B.
C.
D.
Define and discuss The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)/Wagner Act
Discuss the Taft Hartley Amendments.
Discuss the National labor Relations Board (NLRB).
Discuss the Department of Labor’s Role in Labor Relations.
III. Structure of Labor Organizations
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
Organization makeup of a local union.
Duties/Roles of local union officers.
Organizational makeup of the national/international union.
Duties/Roles of national/international union.
Organizational makeup of the National AFL-CIO.
Role of the National AFL-CIO.
State Federations of the AFL-CIO.
IV. Union Organizing
A.
B.
C.
D.
Discuss and describe an organizing campaign.
Discuss laws that govern this activity and who enforces these laws.
Discuss Unfair Labor Practices (Employer and Employee Organization).
Discuss bargaining units – How is a bargaining unit determined?
V. Collective Bargaining
A. Define Collective Bargaining.
B. Discuss the mandatory subjects of bargaining.
C. Discuss the permissive subjects of bargaining.
D. Discuss economic issues.
E. Discuss non-economic issues.
VI. Preparation for Negotiations
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Determining who will serve as your Chief Negotiator.
Choosing a negotiating committee or negotiating team.
Determining your bargaining items.
Formulating initial proposals.
Setting your strategy(ies). Differentiate between “need” and “want”.
VII. Negotiating an Agreement
A. Establishing ground rules for the negotiations process.
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Revised by Randy Helt
August 2003
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
Initial proposal exchange.
Posturing – Aspects
Proposals and counter-proposals.
Discuss methods of Collective Bargaining.
Discuss pressure tactics.
Discuss tentative agreements.
Discuss the ratification process.
VIII. Impasse and Impasse Resolution
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Define and discuss impasse(s).
Define and discuss mediation.
Define and discuss fact-finding.
Define and discuss interest arbitration.
Discuss work actions (strikes, boycotts and lock-outs).
IX. Public Sector Labor Relations
A. Discuss how labor relation activities are established and governed in the
public sector.
B. Illustrate differences in Collective Bargaining in the private sector v. public
sector.
C. Name and discuss two major unions that represent public employees.
X. Contract Administration: Implementing an Agreement
A. You’ve negotiated an agreement – Now what?
B. Establishing a Labor-Management Committee.
C. Discuss the roles of the Labor-Management Committee.
D. Discuss grievance procedures.
E. Discuss the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.
F. Discuss ways in which contract administration issues can be resolved.
XI. Maintenance of a Union-Free Environment
A. Discuss ways in which employers can keep the workplace union-free.
XII. Current Challenges in Labor-Management Relations
A. Discuss the role that technology and foreign competition play in LaborManagement Relations.
B. Discuss the two (2) most prevalent issues in labor negotiations today.
9.0 Course Bibliography:
Carrell, Michael and Christina Heavrin. Labor Relations
and Collective Bargaining: Cases, Practice, and Law. 7th
edition. Prentice Hall.
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