Collective Agreement Negotiations:
Essential Training For Management Representatives    

Labour negotiations can be complex and time consuming. Unions negotiate collective agreements on a full time basis. By contrast, management comes to the bargaining table once every two or three years. This program is designed to assist management representatives in understanding the process and challenges of collective bargaining. The program will help employers in preparing for and conducting future negotiations. It is suitable for all members of the employer's negotiating team.

You Will Learn

• The legal rules that govern the process and how you must negotiate.
• How to plan and prepare for negotiations.
• What you should include in your proposals.
• How to analyse the union's proposals to identify possible problems.
• How to arrive at an agreement that allows you to manage while building a constructive relationship with the union.
• The importance of projecting a clear and controlled message.
• What you must disclose to the union during negotiations.
• "Side bar" discussions and the use of "back channels".
• How to keep the process focussed and moving forward.
• What to do if a strike seems likely.

The Program Will Cover

• The legal framework
• An overview of the negotiating process
• Negotiating specific clauses
• Dealing with impass