Union Tactics for Employers Strategy Workshop
Glasgow, Venue TBC
A practical toolkit for employers navigating the new union landscape
Time: 0900 - 1700
Cost: £795+VAT
Early Bird (book by 31 August) & Past Delegate Loyalty Discount: £595 + VAT
Location & Dates:
London - Thursday 22nd January 2026
Glasgow - Thursday 19th February 2026
Manchester - Thursday 19th March 2026
Nottingham - Thursday 23rd April 2026
Format: Interactive workshop with case studies, role-play scenarios, and expert-led discussions
Conducted under Chatham House Rule: Providing a discreet and confidential space to share experiences, challenges and specific concerns.
Learning Outcomes:
• Master the legal framework governing union negotiations in the post-Employment Rights Bill environment
• Recognise and counter sophisticated union tactics while maintaining professional standards
• Develop robust negotiation strategies for pay, TUPE, terms & conditions, and recognition disputes
• Build emotional resilience for high-pressure negotiation scenarios
Delegate testimonial's
"The case studies and hands-on activities were incredibly valuable. I feel much more confident in handling union negotiations now."
"A must-attend for anyone dealing with unions. The insights and techniques shared are game-changers."
"I couldn't believe how useful the conflict resolution strategies were. The session gave me the tools to handle disputes in a calm and constructive way, and it's already making a big difference in our union relations."
"This workshop provided me with practical tools and strategies that I could immediately apply in my role. The trainers' real-world experience made all the difference."
Who will the trainers be?
Our expert union relationship training panel boasts decades of experience, having worked extensively with unions and on management teams. This unique perspective and hands-on experience ensure that you will gain a thorough understanding of the processes and practicalities involved in improving union relations.
Their extensive experience is crucial because it provides a deep insight into both sides of the negotiation table, fostering more effective and harmonious interactions. Having worked with many household names, their high-profile negotiations and experiences bring invaluable lessons and strategies to the table, making them an unparalleled resource for optimising your union relations.
Why This Workshop is Essential
The Training Gap Crisis Our exclusive research reveals that 93% of HR professionals attending our programmes have received no formal industrial relations training. Meanwhile, unions are investing heavily in equipping their representatives with:
- Advanced negotiation tactics
- Forensic accounting skills
- Media strategy training
- Sophisticated communication techniques
The Risks of Being Underprepared:
- Costly settlements from inexperienced negotiators
- Legal missteps weakening your position
- Damaged employee relations from mishandled discussions
- Operational disruption from prolonged disputes
Which functions will benefit from attending
- HR Directors, Senior HR Managers, Employee Relations Specialists, Industrial Relations Specialists
Schedule
Registration & Welcome
Coffee and networking
The New Union Landscape: Understanding the shift from partnership to adversarial relations
- Current political and economic drivers of union militancy
- Employment Rights Bill impact: recognition thresholds, workplace access, strike procedures
- Why traditional collaborative approaches no longer work
- Intelligence briefing: How unions are training their representatives
Key Takeaways:
- Union investment in forensic accounting, media strategy, and communication training
- Economic pressures driving aggressive membership retention strategies
- Government support emboldening union positions
Comfort break
Legal Framework and Boundaries: Your rights and obligations under the new regime
- Recognition Agreements: Statutory vs voluntary recognition, derecognition procedures
- Collective Bargaining Scope: Mandatory, permissive, and prohibited subjects
- TUPE and Union Rights: Automatic transfer, collective agreements, ETO defences
- Strike Law Essentials: Balloting requirements, notice periods, injunction grounds
- Information and Consultation: Statutory timelines, relevance challenges
Interactive Element: Legal scenario analysis with Q&A
Lunch & Networking
Facilitated peer discussion under Chatham House Rule
Confidential forum for sharing specific challenges, recent experiences, and organisational concerns with fellow practitioners
Union Tactics Recognition and Response: Identifying and countering sophisticated pressure techniques
Pressure Tactics Workshop:
- Information Warfare: Overwhelming requests, FOI fishing expeditions
- Deadline Manufacturing: Artificial urgency, threat escalation
- Emotional Manipulation: Personal attacks, walkouts, aggressive language
- Media Campaigns: Press releases, social media pressure, customer targeting
- Workplace Disruption: Demonstrations, solidarity actions, membership mobilisation
Professional Response Framework:
- Maintaining emotional detachment under pressure
- Documentation standards for potential disputes
- Communication protocols and de-escalation techniques
- Team coordination during adversarial negotiations
Comfort break
Negotiation Strategies for Tough Talks: Practical frameworks for high-pressure scenarios
Preparation Essentials:
- Pre-negotiation intelligence gathering
- BATNA development and walk-away points
- Cost modelling for all scenarios
- Mandate boundaries and authority limits
Tactical Approaches:
- Principled negotiation under pressure
- Structured counter-proposal frameworks
- Precedent recognition and protection
- Concession psychology and anchoring awareness
Interactive Simulation Exercise: Role-play - Hostile Pay Negotiation
Scenario: Union demands 15% pay rise with immediate strike threat during peak season
Participants Experience:
- Aggressive opening tactics and personal criticism
- Artificial deadline pressure and media threats
- Emotional appeals and membership pressure
- Financial data challenges and precedent creation attempts
Skills Practised:
- Emotional regulation techniques
- Professional boundary maintenance
- Tactical recognition and response
- Structured negotiation process adherence
Debrief and Action Planning: Confidential peer consultation and next steps
Facilitated under Chatham House Rule:
- Confidential sharing of specific organisational challenges
- Peer consultation on current negotiations
- Individual action planning templates
- Post-training resources and ongoing support
- Emergency escalation procedures
- Success metrics and evaluation criteria
End of workshop
Contact us to book or discuss our events & services
01983 861133
info@bfi.co.uk
Informative & interesting. Affirmation too of the good things we are already doing
Good practical focus rather than just looking at legal aspects
A really useful day with lots of constructive ideas
All speakers were well-informed on topic. It made the course interesting and interactive
Excellent speakers – focussed, entertaining, knowledgeable
