Trainings for Reps and Officers

A key component of HPAE’s education program is our “union-building” trainings. These trainings provide union representatives and local officers with the tools that they need to be effective advocates vis-à-vis health care employers, including information on the legal rights of members, the grievance procedure, and how to build a strong union. Below is a brief description of our union-building trainings.

Basic Union Rep Training
This training covers the full range of activities of Union Representatives. In addition to training modules on the legal rights of Union Reps and how to be an effective grievance advocate, this training gives Reps the tools to communicate better with co-workers and to involve more members in union activities.

Advanced Grievance Training
The Advanced Grievance Training takes a more in-depth look at the grievance and arbitration process, including creative grievance remedies, mobilizing the membership to win grievances, and preparing grievances for arbitration.

Grievance Chair Workshop
Held twice a year, the workshop is an opportunity for Grievance Chairs and active grievance Reps to explore difficult, complex grievances and to sharpen their skills in presenting grievances.

Negotiations Training
This training provides a comprehensive overview of the various aspects of collective bargaining, including the legal framework for negotiations, the negotiations process, the role of the Negotiations Committee, building teamwork and unity among the Committee, and bargaining tactics. A collective bargaining simulation is available for less experienced Committees.

Officers’ Training
Beginning with an exploration of the roles and responsibilities of HPAE local officers, the training then focuses on the key elements for building a successful leadership team. The training also provides local officers with an opportunity to assess their local’s functioning and to identify needed changes.

Building Effective Local Committees
The goal of this training is to provide your local with the tools you need to create and maintain effective committees, whether “internal” union committee or joint labor-management committees. Topics include how to recruit and retain committee members, the role of committee chairs, and how to ensure that joint committees actually solve problems in the workplace.

Please note: With the assistance of the Education Department, any training can be customized to focus on particular needs, such as building a strong internal organization and communication network.