Training Programs for 2007

(This article appeared in the January/February 2007 issue of The American Postal Worker magazine.)

Joyce B. Robinson, Research & Education Department Director

To help APWU activists enhance their skills, the Research and Education Department will be providing several training programs in 2007.

Arbitration

The Basic Arbitration Training program is designed to provide an in-depth knowledge of the techniques needed to effectively prepare a case for arbitration.

To be eligible for the course, APWU members must provide a letter from their local or state president (on local or state letterhead) that authorizes their attendance.

In addition to daily classes, there will be both group and individual homework assignments. Also, participants will be required to work with their assigned teams during evening hours to prepare a mock arbitration case.

The curriculum includes:

• Introduction to Arbitration
• Preparing the Case
• Identifying and Framing Issues
• Threshold Issues
• Exhibits and Stipulations
• Opening and Closing Statements
• Rules of Evidence
• Objections, and
• Direct and Cross Examinations

Advanced Arbitration Advocacy training is designed to acquaint advocates — APWU representatives currently arbitrating cases — with the sophisticated techniques needed to help union members prevail in more complex grievances.

To be able to register for this conference, participants must be either a national arbitration advocate (certified by the APWU President), or a locally certified advocate who is currently arbitrating cases. Local advocates must submit a letter from the president certifying that he/she is arbitrating local cases.

The curriculum includes:

• Rules of Contract Construction
• New Evidence/New Arguments
• Major Mistakes made by Arbitration Advocates
• Just Cause
• Concepts and Challenges
• Writing an Effective Brief; Due Process
• Witnesses (special situations)
• Nexus
• Latin in the Hearing
• Affirmative Defense
• Framing Multiple Issues, and
• Threshold Strategies

Training is provided by APWU National officers and staff, and a panel of arbitrators will discuss the fundamentals of labor arbitration and labor law. The participation of arbitrators in this class is a first; I expect it to add a fresh prospective and realism to the class.

Leadership (For Local Presidents)

APWU leadership training is a week-long, executive-level development program, designed to help local and state presidents more effectively lead their unions and to be better prepared for the upcoming struggles.

The curriculum includes:

• Defining Highly Effective Unions;
• Leading Volunteers/Mobilizing Members
• Understanding Ourselves and Other
• Communicating Effectively
• Getting Out the Union’s Message
• Media Strategies; Making Effective Presentations
• Coalition Building ; Managing Conflict
• Conducting Effective Meetings
• Leading a Diverse Union
• Increasing Personal Effectiveness
• Decision Making, and Problem Solving.

The program is held in Detroit, with instructors provided by Wayne State University. As part of the course, presidents will be placed on planning teams, which will present a comprehensive plan on how to gain membership support on a selected topic.

Officers, Stewards Development

In a series of seminars designed to acquaint newly elected APWU local and state officers and shop stewards with the skills needed to function effectively in their elected and appointed positions, APWU officers and staff, and professionals from universities or government agencies will conduct the classes.

In the curriculum:

• Basic and Advanced Steward Training
• Internal/External Organizing
• CSRS and FERS
• Coping with Stress
• Understanding FMLA
• Postal Inspection Service and OIG Interrogations
• Safety & Health Committees
• Filing OWCP and MSPB Claims
• Psychology 101 for Union Reps., and
• Due Process/Just Cause.

All Classes

To take part in the programs, participants must pre-register prior to deadlines. No walk-ins will be allowed.

Stay tuned to these pagefs for more information on training dates, locations, and registration fees or call the Research and Education Department at 202-842-4225.