Summary of Classes

Arbitration: From Grievance to Hearing

(Noah Barish, McKanna Bishop Joffe, LLP)

How does a Union investigate and assess a grievance to determine whether to pursue it, and how does the Union prepare a meritorious grievance for arbitration? Noah will cover the nuts and bolts of grievance handling, from investigation and preparation of the grievance to how to select an arbitrator and prepare witnesses and documents for arbitration, and identifying some of the most common pitfalls to avoid.

Arbitration: From the Arbitrator’s Perspective

(Howell Lankford & Katie Whalen, Arbitrators; Norman Malbin, Moderator)

Howell and Katie have combined experience of over fifty years. They will discuss the mistakes that union advocates make. Learn from the mistakes that others make. Watch Norman have fun with two arbitrators.

Collective Bargaining

(Stacy Chamberlain, Collective Bargaining Director and Jennifer Chapman, Counsel—Oregon AFSCME)

With a focus on the stages of bargaining and actual bargaining strategies, Stacy and Jennifer will explore both legal principles and practical perspectives in this in-depth two-part class.

Creative Approaches to Picketing, Handbilling and Other Secondary Activity

(Daniel Hutzenbiler, McKanna Bishop Joffe, LLP).

With over a decade of experience as a labor lawyer specializing in the building trades, Dan will share the basics of picketing, handbilling, and other techniques applying public pressure to an employer. He’ll share some examples of creative approaches that have worked for other unions.

Employment and Labor Law Update

(Rick Liebman, Barran Liebman, LLP.)

An overview of major developments in case law that apply to Union members.

Employment Relations Board

(Adam Rhynard, Jason Weyand, Lisa Umscheid, Oregon Employment Relations Board)

For anyone in the public sector, or anyone with bargaining units in the public sector, this class is essential. Learn from the ERB what to use ERB for and how. Learn from the Board what are the most common mistakes made by union advocates. Also get an update on is new in ERB case law.

Family Medical Leave Act/Oregon Family Leave Act

(Liz Joffe, McKanna Bishop Joffe LLP)

The Family Medical Leave Act and The Oregon Family Leave Act both provide important rights to Union members. These laws are also important to know in helping the unorganized. Learn the basics about these laws as well as recent changes that have been enacted.

Legislations – Affecting Unions and Union Members

(Margaret Olney, Bennett Hartman Morris & Kaplan LLP)

Get up to speed with new Oregon laws, initiatives, and legislative efforts that may impact workers, ranging from pro-worker legislation like paid sick leave, to anti-worker initiatives like possible right to “shirk” ballot initiatives. Margaret will guide you through the quickly changing legislative landscape.

Mediation in Collective Bargaining and Grievances

(Julie Kettler, FMCS and Janet Gilman, Oregon Employment Relations Board)

Join two experienced labor mediators to learn how mediation works in collective bargaining and grievances, in both the private and public sectors.  Find out how to prepare for mediation, how to get the most out of mediation, and when is the right time to bring in the mediator.

National Labor Relations Board

(Jessica Dietz, Officer in Charge, NLRB Subregion 36- Portland)

Learn about recent important NLRB decisions from the past year. This is also an opportunity to ask questions of the Officer in Charge of the Portland Subregion and learn about how to be successful before the NLRB.

Offensive Bargaining

(David Rosenfeld, Weinberg Roger & Rosenfeld)

Many employers give Unions short shrift in response to information requests. Others simply march toward impasse. Too often unions do not have a big-picture strategy that will assist them in their negotiations. Learn from the person who wrote the book on how to avoid impasse, prevent employers from withdrawing recognition and otherwise make life miserable for employers at the bargaining table to achieve a fair contract. By popular demand, this class has been expanded into two sessions to allow for more Q&A and strategizing about bargaining techniques.

Organizing 101

(Corey Hope Nicholson, Organizing Director, Oregon AFSCME)

The health of the labor movement depends on organizing. Corey will explain the basics and give some expert tips as well, for both private and public sector unions. She’ll discuss planning a campaign, elections, recognition, organizing for a first contract, and internal organizing.

Organize and Resist

(David Rosenfeld, Weinberg Roger & Rosenfeld)

David Rosenfeld is a master of advising unions on cutting edge organizing strategies. In this class, he will share strategies for using First Amendment and other protections to engage in resistance and protest in the Trump Era. He will also address ways labor can pursue legislation and other strategies at the state level to challenge anti-union forces.

Social Media Law

(Rich McCracken, McCracken Stemerman & Holsberry)

Rich McCracken will cover all you need to know about using social media in organizing, including opportunities created by laws you may not even know existed, like the Communications Decency Act and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.

Succeeding In a Right to Work Environment

(Rich McCracken, McCracken Stemerman & Holsberry)

With recent political changes, anti-union so-called “right to work” laws may be coming soon. Rich McCracken shares strategies to help unions survive and succeed in that environment, including “carrots and sticks,” model contract language, and influencing employers to help increase membership.

The Fight For $15 and the Future of Worker Advocacy

(David Rolf, President of SIEU 775 and author of “The Fight for $15: The Right Wage for a Working America”).

In this plenary session, David Rolf, author of the recent book The Fight for $15: The Right Wage for a Working America (New Press) and president of SIEU 775 in Seattle, will speak about his experiences organizing campaigns that won $15 wages in SeaTac and Seattle, and future forms of worker power in the U.S.

Unemployment Insurance

(Stephenson Law, LLC)

Whether you are from a construction trade or a school teacher union, unemployment insurance is important to your membership. Christina will guide you through the process, from initial determination up to appeals. She will also explain the connections between unemployment and claims for employment discrimination.

Workers’ Compensation

(Chris Frost, Swanson, Thomas, Coon & Newton)

Unfortunately, a lot of Union members continue to be hurt on the job on a regular basis. The amount of misinformation is huge. The more you know, the more you can help your members avoid making needless, costly mistakes.