Who Should Attend:
Anyone involved on either side of the table in any aspect of negotiating, administering, or supporting your CBA, including, but not limited to, human resources, labor/employee relations, all levels of management (line, senior, assistant general manager, general manager/CEO, and elected officials), and all levels of union representation.
Overview:
This comprehensive three-day training will guide you through any negotiation experience with emphasis on labor management contract negotiations. More than just information on how and what to do, this course focuses equally on what not to do. The class includes interactive exercises for hands-on practice to build and improve skill sets so you can continue to hone them well after the course concludes. The third day of training will be a full day of table negotiation complete with in-process coaching as well as peer and instructor feedback.
Objectives:
During this course, you will learn more about:
- Defining negotiation.
- Negotiations philosophy/approach/styles.
- Behavioral and physical preparedness.
- Lawful obligations of negotiating the CBA.
- Relationship/ethical obligations of negotiating the CBA.
- Information/data-mining resources.
- Costing models.
- Evaluating potential influences.
- Selecting and training your team(s)—it’s a team sport.
- Ending the end run.
- Maintaining the record.
- Developing substantive, monetary, and housekeeping proposals.
- Watching your proposal language to avoid future problems.
- How to address unwritten past practices.
- Vetting and prioritizing everyone's proposals.
- Communications (before, during, and after).
- Ground rules.
- The three elements of every negotiation (time, information, and the 29 different types of power).
Instructor:
Bob Oberstein
Schedule:
Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. on the first day, and the class will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Lunch and refreshments will be provided each day.
Location:
Northwest Public Power Association
9817 NE 54th St., Suite 200
Vancouver, WA 98662
(360) 254-0109
Suggested Hotels:
Heathman Lodge
7801 NE Greenwood Drive
Vancouver, WA 98662
(360) 254-3100
Ask for the NWPPA rate for 15% off advertised prices.
Residence Inn by Marriott Portland Vancouver
411 SE 123rd Ave.
Vancouver, WA 98683
(360) 892-4404
Ask for the NWPPA group discount.
Fees:
Utility Member Early Bird (ends 11/22/2025): $1,260
Utility Member Standard: $1,420
Associate Member Early Bird (ends 11/22/2025): $1,890
Associate Member Standard: $2,050
Non-Member Early Bird (ends 11/22/2025): $2,510
Non-Member Standard: $2,680
Note: Organizations that register a group of employees will receive every fifth registration for free. For example, if you register five employees, you only pay for four; register 10 employees, you only pay for eight; and so on. There is nothing additional you need to do to receive this discount.
Cancellation Policy:
For webinars, virtual classes, and section meetings: cancellations at least five days prior to the event will receive a full refund; within 1-4 days or no show, the charge will be 100% of the registration fee.
For in-person events: cancellations at least 30 days prior to the event will receive a full refund; within 15-29 days there will be a $100 fee; and within 1-14 days or no show, the charge will be 100% of the registration fee.
When possible, please send a substitute instead of canceling; NWPPA does not charge a fee for substitutions. To request a refund, please contact registration@nwppa.org or (360) 254-0109.
Continuing Hours:
This course qualifies for 18 continuing hours. Certificates are issued upon full completion of the course.