Education Services

Total Series Time: Approximately 5 hours

The effective presentation of a grievance in arbitration often depends upon the work done earlier in the grievance process.  Most contracts specify how the grievance is to be initiated and the steps to complete the procedures.  The grievance procedure provides a structure for presenting and settling workplace disputes.  This webinar series will provide skills and techniques on how to handle the grievance process   The faculty of experienced arbitrators, and union and management attorneys will provide participants with practical skills, different perspectives and information on how to constructively use the grievance process to resolve disputes and will provide details regarding contract interpretation.  

This webinar series consists of three presentations covering the following components on the process.  

1.  Contract Administration

In this presentation, participants will learn from an experienced faculty about the important information and the essential facts needed to understand and administer the contract.  The faculty focuses on the following topics: 

• Contract Interpretation:  An Overview
• Problems in Contract Interpretation
• The Theory of Management Reserved Rights
• Management Rights Clauses
• Determining Past Practice
• An Analysis of a Grievance – Bargaining Unit Perspectives and the Art of Interpreting the Contract

Some of the questions addressed by the faculty are: What are the reasons for ambiguous contract language? What are the perspectives from Union and Management on the theory of management reserved rights? What are the guidelines for custom and past practice?  What are the general rules of interpretation applied by Arbitrators?

2.  Elements of the Grievance Procedure

In this presentation, participants will learn from experienced faculty about the intricate details that define the grievance procedures.  The faculty focuses on the following topics:

• Defining a Grievance
• Assessment of Grievances
• Drafting Your Grievance
• Contents of a Grievance
• Answering a Grievance
• Filing your Grievance

Some of the questions addressed by the faculty are:   What are the elements needed to define and draft a grievance?  When assessing a grievance, what should be considered?  What should the answer to the grievance include?  What should be considered when you file your grievance?  

3.  Processing a Grievance

In this presentation, participants will learn from our experienced faculty about guidelines and best practices when processing their next grievance.  There are three parts to the course:

Part 1 - The Union Perspective

Part 2 - The Management Perspective

Part 3 - The Seven Tests of Just Cause

The presentation focuses on the following topics:

• Preventing Grievances
• Grievance Investigation
• Presenting Grievances – Thorough Investigation
• Conducting the Grievance Meeting
• Proper Documentation 
• Just Cause

Some of the questions addressed by the faculty are:  How can employers avoid grievances?  How can unions avoid grievances?  What are the union and management perspectives when investigating a grievance?   What facts do you need to verify and support the grievance?  What are the criticisms of the seven tests of just cause?  

Who Should Attend?

Labor and management representatives in both private and public sectors, including union representatives, human resources professionals, supervisors, employee relations staff, attorneys, shop stewards, business agents, and individuals who assist advocates in the preparation and presentation of evidence for labor arbitration cases.

Launching the Course After Registration

If you purchase this recorded webinar you will receive a confirmation email containing a link to the course.  You will click the course link in that email or copy and paste the link into your browser to launch the course.  

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CLE Information:

CLE is currently not offered on AAA recorded webinars.  Some jurisdictions will allow CLE credit for online programs, and we suggest that you confirm CLE credit availability for this type of program with the appropriate state CLE regulator.  A Certificate of Attendance will be provided upon request.

Questions?

Please contact AAA Education Services at AAAEducation@adr.org or 212-716-3977.