2019 Summary of Classes

9:00 AM – 9:50 AM

From Toxic Inequality to Shared Prosperity

(Derecka Mehrens, Executive Director, Working Partnerships USA).

In this plenary session,

10:00 AM – 10:50 AM

Employment and Labor Law Update

(Kyle Abraham, Barran Liebman, LLP.)

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

Employment Relations Board Update

(Adam Rhynard, Lisa Umscheid, Jennifer Sung, Oregon Employment Relations Board)

For anyone in the public sector in Oregon, or anyone with bargaining units in the public sector, this class is essential. Learn from the ERB what to use ERB for and how. Also get an update on new developments in ERB case law.

Washington Public Employment Relations Commission Update

(Sean Leonard and Daniel Comeau, Labor Relations Adjudicators/Mediators; Moderator: Jack Holland, Reid, McCarthy, Ballew & Leahy, LLP)

Learn directly from Washington PERC adjudicators about the workings of PERC and how best to present your case, Also get an update on new developments in PERC case law.

National Labor Relations Board Update

(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.

11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Organizing Gig and Continent Workers

(Rich McCracken, McCracken Stemerman & Holsberry).

Rich McCracken will explain cutting-edge techniques and strategies to organize the fastest-growing
sector of our economy—gig and contingent works.

Organize And Resist

(David Rosenfeld, Weinberg Roger & Rosenfeld)

David Rosenfeld is a master of advising unions on cutting-edge organizing strategies. Back by popular demand, this class will feature 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.

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.

Legislation Affecting Unions and Union Members

(Margaret Olney and Aruna Masih, 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 to anti-worker initiatives. Margaret will guide you through the quickly changing legislative landscape.

1:30 AM – 2:20 PM

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 an impasse, prevent employers from withdrawing recognition, and achieve a fair contract.  David will cover all the basics and introduce some new topics this year:  how to bargain emerging issues like cannabis, Artificial Intelligence and automation, data storage and data breaches, and code of conduct rules.

#MeToo, Sexual Harassment and Advocating for Workers

(Stacy Chamberlain, AFSCME Council 75).

Unions often advocate for victims of sexual harassment, as well as those who have been accused of sexual harassment. Learn more about how unions can pursue contract language to make workplaces safer, improve training and policies to prevent workplace harassment, and balance the need for both accountability and due process in sexual harassment situations.

Public Sector Pushback

(Rich McCracken, McCracken Stemerman & Holsberry).

Comprehensive campaigns are a powerful strategy in the private sector, but what similar strategies can public sector unions use? Rich McCracken will provide cutting-edge legal insights into ways that even public sector unions can push back against public employers.

Winning Your Unit at the NLRB

(Caren Sencer, Weinberg Roger & Rosenfeld)

Caren is an expert at representing unions in representation cases.  Learn from Caren how new NLRB election rules and cases about appropriate bargaining units have impacted organizing.  Get practical tips on how to prepare for and win representation hearings before the NLRB.

2:30 AM – 3:20 PM

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 an impasse, prevent employers from withdrawing recognition, and achieve a fair contract.  David will cover all the basics and introduce some new topics this year:  how to bargain emerging issues like cannabis, Artificial Intelligence and automation, data storage and data breaches, and code of conduct rules.

Life After Janus

(Caren Sencer, Weinberg Roger & Rosenfeld)

Nearly 6 months after the Janus decision, public sector unions are still feeling the consequences and coming up with new  to engage and organize. Learn from prominent union attorney Caren Sencer some of the ways unions are defending themselves and thriving in this new legal environment.

Microaggressions and Race: Update

(Barbara Diamond, Diamond Law)

Barbara J. Diamond will show her film “Reveal Moments” featuring unionists of color from the Portland area. This film will help
you identify microaggressions based on race and ethnicity, which happen frequently on the job.  After the film, learn how unions are bargaining language into their contracts to fight microaggressions and how you, as a union steward or officer, can advocate for all members facing bias.  This will be a provocative and insightful session for unionists of color, allies, and co-conspirators.

Arbitration: From Grievance to Hearing

(Shirin Khosravi, SEIU Local 503, 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? Shirin will cover the nuts and bolts of grievance handling, from investigation and 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.

3:30 AM – 4:20 PM

Midterm Changes- Bargaining, Grievance, ULP

(Jason Weyand, Tedesco Law Group)

One of the most frequent and difficult situations a union can confront is an employer making a change during the middle of the contract without bargaining. Learn about the law and your options to respond, both in the public sector in Oregon or the private sector.

Arbitration: From the Arbitrator’s Perspective

(Howell Lankford, Arbitrator/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.