Education and Training Calendar

Please contact by phone at 608-262-2112 or email schoolforworkers@dcs.wisc.edu for more information.
Madison, Wisconsin
Reinvigorating collective strength
A crucial educational program for any union—especially those seeking to adapt to “open shop” or “Right to Work.” Reinvigorate your union with successful strategies and fundamental principles for membership engagement. Learn how to identify and develop new activists, and apply benchmarks and assessments to test the strength of your organizing work. You will learn how to change the “What’s the union done for me lately?” mindset into a more comprehensive sense of collective strength.
Madison, Wisconsin
Preparing and adapting for positive outcomes
A comprehensive class providing an overview of the entire collective bargaining process. We begin with a focus on factors affecting collective bargaining outcomes. The class goes on to introduce strategic and tactical planning as part of collective bargaining, addressing key labor laws, bargaining health care and benefits, and utilizing the strength of the rank and file membership. The class also introduces contract costing and research methodologies.
Madison, Wisconsin
Effectively resolving disputes and protecting your members
Effectively resolving disputes—including utilizing the contractual grievance and arbitration process—is vital for union representatives, stewards, and members. Explore methods of dispute resolution such as:
- Informal resolution
- Joint labor-management meetings
- Negotiations
- Community engagement
- Mediation of claims
- Collective activity
Participants will access tools to interpret collective bargaining agreements, write effective grievances, and prepare participants for the grievance process. Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to practice new skills through a mock case before an arbitrator.

You may register for Labor Center programs on campus in one of four ways:
Online: Online Registration Form
By phone: 319-335-4144
By fax: print form and fax to 319-335-4464
By mail: print form and send to:
Labor Center
100 BioVentures Center, Room W130
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52242
Iowa City, Iowa
A hands-on approach intended to get union staff, officers and bargaining team members ready for bargaining. Includes sessions on bargaining law, preparation and research, member mobilizing, community support, media and communication, persuasive techniques, impasse resolution, and a practice bargaining session.