Working Effectively with Trade Unions

Introduction

Rising UK union membership, changing Union tactics, and the impact of the recent economic pressures all mean that organisations are struggling in the changing Employee Relations landscape. Proposed changes to the Employment Relations Act, and almost equal activism by blue-collar and white-collar employees, it is essential that your team feel confident, prepared and empowered to work with the Unions to reduce conflict and meet business objectives.

Trade Unions Course Overview 

This training programme will equip your team to engage with Unions reps as their equals in a confident and collaborative manner. Delegates will understand how to optimise union relations in the current uncertain climate and how to effectively resolve internal and external disputes.

The course runs for approximately 6.5 hours.

Who will benefit from attendance:

LINE MANAGEMENT, TEAM LEADERS, FUTURE LEADERS, HR, EMPLOYEE RELATIONS, OPERATIONS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT NEW TO WORKING WITH UNIONS.

What our delegates say about our In-house training courses:

“Excellent, down to earth and easy to understand.”

“I’m yet to have direct dealings with Trade Unions, however, I’m privileged to have this insight before being ‘thrown in the deep end’ in a couple of weeks’ time.”

Learning objectives

By the end of the training your team will:

• Be more confident in dealing with the Unions on a day-to-day basis
• Understand how to work collaboratively with Union reps
• Strengthen their communications with Union reps and the workforce as a whole
• Gain insight into the rise of the Unions: their strengths and weaknesses
• Know what drives and motivates the Unions and how to devise effective strategies
• Understand the difference between engagement, consultation and negotiation
• Understand the ins and outs of collective bargaining
• Prepare more effectively for negotiations
• Reduce the risk of industrial action
• Improve employee confidence and trust in your organisation
• Manage day-to-day issues more quickly and efficiently

Key training topics:

• Understanding engagement: history and context
• What is a Trade Union: ethos; membership, structure and key players
• Hot topics with the Unions
• The implications of recognising a Union in your workplace
• Engaging with Trade Unions: informing, consulting, negotiating and collective bargaining
• Ensuring high quality communications
• Preparing for negotiations
• What if it all goes wrong: what next, where and when
• Dealing with day-to-day issues

All in-house training with BFI includes:

Pre-course team SWOT analysis; pre-course attendee engagement to ensure objectives and issues are addressed; trainer matched to your specific challenges; interactive and engaging course design to maximise learning outcomes; full course notes and supporting documentation; post-course analysis of team strengths and weaknesses; post-training three-month review and clinic

Make an in-house training enquiry

Click here to fill in our enquiry form or to have a confidential discussion about your requirements, please contact Catherine Ouston our Head of In-house Training on 01983 861133 or email Teamtraining@bfi.co.uk