2008 Madison Institutes
The School for Workers offers these institutes at the Pyle and Lowell Centers located on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.
REGISTRATION FORM - register online on our secure site
- Job Evaluation
- Worker's Compensation
- Bargaining Health Care
- Pensions in Crisis
- Time Study
- Becoming a More Effective Union Leader
- Building Arguments for Bargaining Power
- Financial Officer Training
Information
Conference Centers & Parking
Meals
Lodging Reservations
Fee & Payment Information
Cancellation Policy
Travel to & around Madison
Job Evaluation
Class cancelled but if you have an interest in or questions about Job Evaluation, contact us schoolforworkers@uwex.edu
September 15-18, 2008
This is a comprehensive 3 1/2 day program on Job Evaluation, a method of classifying jobs and systematically establishing pay rates for jobs based on job content in both blue collar and clerical work places. It is intended for those who are new to the topic as well as those who desire a refresher course. The program begins with an overview of job evaluation principles and techniques and how they relate to other pay systems. The balance of the program goes into the details of the job evaluation process. Special emphasis will be given to quantitative job evaluation methods, such as factor-point systems. Participants will have hands on practice in the entire job evaluation process including job analysis (gathering facts about jobs), writing job descriptions and specifications (documenting jobs), using evaluation manuals (e.g. NMTA and related manuals) and dealing with the employer in job evaluation disputes/grievances. We will also discuss current employment practices such as high performance work systems and how they relate to the job evaluation process.
Applicable toward the Work System Analyst Certificate.
Registration deadline: August 18
This program begins at 8:00 a.m. Monday with registration. It concludes Thursday at 12 noon.
Location: Lowell Center
Fee: $425.00
Worker's Compensation
October 6-10, 2008
Registration form
This is an annual 5-day Worker's Compensation Institute for union staff, local union officers and members. Instructors will include School for Workers staff, practicing attorneys, union representatives, health professionals and WC Division staff. The program provides an overview of Wisconsin law and the procedures for filing claims. Recent changes in the law will also be addressed. Special problem areas in compensation will be discussed, including:
- Back Injuries
- Disease Claims
- Hearing Loss
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Penalty Provisions
- Rehabilitation and Return to Work Programs
- Third Party Lawsuits
- Union Action Program
- Wisconsin Worker's Compensation Advisory Council
Throughout the training, emphasis will be given to how unions can more effectively assist members in the WC system. A labor member of the Advisory Council will discuss the role of the Council and how changes in the law occur.
This Institute is recommended for those who are:
- new to Worker's Compensation
- desiring a more in-depth understanding of the system; and those
- contemplating representing members in hearings
"The program was very informative and detailed. I will advise that more members...of our local attend this training." (2007 participant)
Applicable toward the Union Governance & Administration Certificate.
Registration Deadline: September 8
This 5-day program begins at 8:30 AM Monday with registration. It concludes at 12:00 noon on Friday.
Fee: $490.00
Location: Lowell Center
Bargaining Health Care
October 6-8, 2008
Registration form
This 2 1/2-day program is designed to present an overview of the issues related to bargaining health care in the U.S. today and to give practical guidance and hands-on experience for union bargainers.
Beginning with how private insurance works and is structured, the class will cover all aspects of health care from a labor perspective, including a brief analysis of the origins of the contemporary health care system, and an in-depth discussion of the crisis that is affecting all American workers, as well as employers and society at large. We will look at how other countries provide coverage for their citizens as a yardstick to compare against what is happening here and analyze what is driving the crisis in the U.S. and what possible solutions exist. We will consider proposals for health care reform that have recently been proposed politically, and their implications for unions and collective bargaining.
Topics include:
- How health insurance works in the U.S.
- Health insurance terminology and definitions
- Health insurance plan comparisons
- Group exercise in health care plan comparisons
- Health care crisis in the U.S.: where is it going, what is driving it, and what possible solutions exist.
- Costing out health care for collective bargaining
- Getting the relevant information from the employer
- Group exercise in health care costing
- Strategic and practical planning for health care bargaining and membership mobilization
- Group exercise: health care collective bargaining scenario
Bring your contracts and plan descriptions of health care coverage!
Applicable toward the Collective Bargaining Certificate.
Registration deadline: September 8
This program begins at 8:00 a.m. Monday with registration. It concludes Wednesday at 12 noon.
Location: Pyle Center
Fee: $325.00
Pensions in Crisis
Bargaining Defined Benefit and 401(k) Plans
October 8-10, 2008
Registration form
Pension plans represent one of the most complex and important areas of collective bargaining. Most of us will be dependent on income from retirement plans for about one-quarter of our lives, and many existing plans provide inadequate benefits or are inadequately funded. Bargaining committees need to know more about how these plans work, how secure they are, and how much they are really costing employers. This program prepares bargaining committee members to negotiate improved defined benefit and 401(k) pension plans. (The program does not cover multiemployer plans.)
The Pension Protection Act of 2006 contains many provisions that will affect the funding and operation of defined benefit pension plans. The Act also contains important provisions covering 401k plans. The impact of this legislation on pension bargaining will be profound. This program prepares you to bargain more effectively under the new regulations of the Pension Protection Act.
Topics Covered:
- Determining adequate pension formulas
- Negotiating early retirement & other essential plan features
- Costing pension contract proposals
- Computer models for costing contract proposals
- Obtaining information and assessing the financial status of the plan
- ERISA and PPA regulations
- Negotiating 401(k) plans
- Hands-on bargaining exercise
- Social Security: the impact of privatization
Applicable toward the Collective Bargaining Certificate.
Registration deadline: September 10
This program begins at 1 p.m. Wednesday with registration. It concludes Friday at 3:00 p.m..
Location: Pyle Center
Fee: $325.00
Time Study
October 27-31, 2008
Registration form
This 5-day institute provides participants a working knowledge of the various systems used to establish day-work and incentive production standards. Instruction covers the theories, assumptions and applications of stopwatch time study.
Participants gain direct experience in performance rating, conducting stopwatch studies and calculating standards. Other systems of work measurement, including standard data, predetermined motion-time systems, work sampling and computerized work measurement are also examined. Particular attention is given to the limitations and shortcomings of these systems. Wage incentive applications, group and line standard problems are analyzed.
The institute also covers strategies for handling standards grievances and the negotiation of contract language on work measurement and wage incentives. The goal of this program is to provide participants with not only a working knowledge of work measurement, but an understanding of how related problems can be successfully addressed in the collective bargaining process.
Topics Covered
- Performance rating
- Application allowance
- Practice time studies
- Production standards and incentive calculations
- Standard data
- Predetermined motion-time systems
- Work sampling
- Grievances and contract language
"All teachers very good, especially the time (they spent) with each person." (2007 participant)
Applicable toward the Work System Analyst Certificate.
Registration deadline: September 29
Registration for all participants will be at 8:30 a.m. Monday. The program concludes at noon Friday.
Fee: $495.00
Location: Pyle Center
Becoming a More Effective Union Leader
December 3-5, 2008
Registration form
What does it take to be a good union leader? This 3-day program emphasizes personal leadership development for union growth and strength.
This program explores facets of leadership and helps you discover your own talents and skills as a leader. We discuss effective leadership characteristics and styles and learn to set and achieve goals. We will help you identify your challenges and find ways to strengthen your leadership capacity. Also, learn:
- how to develop and promote a vision of the future that is revitalizing for your local
- how to improve communication skills
- get results, ways to develop consensus
This program emphasizes the development of personal skills for building effective unions and can be paired with a spring program Building a More Effective Union.
Recommended for stewards, executive board members and officers, and anyone contemplating union office.
"Enjoyed the class. Time flew by. I'll be back for spring class." (2007 participant)
Applicable toward the Union Governance & Administration Certificate.
Registration deadline: November 5
This program begins at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday with registration. It concludes at 4:00 p.m. Friday.
Fee: $380.00
Location: Pyle Center
Building Arguments for Bargaining Power
December 9-11, 2008
Registration form
As a negotiating team member, how do you evaluate an employer's claim that it cannot afford your bargaining proposals? How do you value and prioritize the various economic proposals you are making at the table--such as proposals for wage increases, or health care and other benefit improvements? How do you develop arguments to support your economic proposals at the table or to respond effectively to employer arguments? How do use this type of information to mobilize your membership and support public relations efforts during contract negotiations?
This course answers these questions and is specifically designed to equip negotiating team members with the tools necessary to employ financial and economic information strategically in member mobilization efforts and public relations campaigns.
"The instructors were very good and opened my eyes to many topics that I was not aware were parts of the bargaining arguments." (2007 participant)
Applicable toward the Collective Bargaining Certificate.
Registration deadline: November 10
This 3-day program begins at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday with registration. It concludes Thursday at 3:00 p.m.
Fee: $415.00
Location: Pyle Center
Financial Officer Training
February 9-10, 2009
Registration form
This program is designed specifically for union financial officers--new treasurers, financial secretaries, trustees and other union officers. The class includes basic recordkeeping to help you comply with the requirements of the Landrum-Griffin Act and will also focus on what records you will have to keep to comply with the LM-2, LM-3 and LM-4 forms..
We will also cover auditing and financial planning, and we will spend half a day in a computer lab showing you how to set up your records in a popular commercial software called Quick Books Pro. You'll see how easy it is to set up charts of accounts, handle payroll and generate a number of useful reports.
We will also concentrate on recordkeeping practices that will be key if your union is audited by the Labor Department, including expense and credit card policies, maintaining records of minutes, receipts and disbursements.
You will receive copies of sample forms, spreadsheets and model financial standards code on a CD-ROM as well as a copy of John Lund's book Auditing Local Union Financial Records.
Questions about course content? Please contact:
John Lund at 608-262-9847 or john.lund@uwex.edu
Applicable toward the Union Governance & Administration Certificate.
Registration deadline: January 7 Enrollment is limited. Class generally fills up before the deadline.
Registration will be at 8:00 a.m. Monday. The program concludes on Tuesday at 4:00 p.m.
Fee: $340.00
Location: Pyle Center
Information
Questions about enrollment, registration, travel and facilities should be directed to Carol Graham.
Phone Number: (608) 262-4496
Fax Number: (608) 265-2391
Email Address: schoolforworkers@uwex.edu
Please be sure to read the information below carefully.
Conference Centers & Parking
Pyle Center
This is a campus conference center located at 702 Langdon Street in downtown Madison. Many of our classes and conferences are held at the Center. Reserved room blocks for our participants have been arranged at the Lowell Center, one block away. Commuter parking is nearby in a city ramp on Lake Street.
Lowell Center
The Lowell Center is at 610 Langdon Street in downtown Madison. It offers lodging for our guests. This is a campus conference center that also has guest rooms. Lowell is a nonsmoking facility. If you reserve a room at the Lowell Center, parking and breakfast are included. For dinner, you can explore the many restaurants on nearby State St. Commuter parking is nearby in a city ramp on Lake Street.
Lodging Reservations
Participants are responsible for arranging their own lodging. A block of guest rooms has been reserved at the Lowell Center. Rates at the Lowell Center are $81-86/single and $91-96/double.
The lodging room block will be released one month before the class start date.
CALL NO LATER THAN 1 MONTH BEFORE the class date to ensure a room.
Toll free 866-301-1753
Direct to Lowell: 608-256-2621
Please DO NOT INCLUDE lodging fees in your payments to the School for Workers.
For alternative lodging go to http://www.cityofmadison.com/recTourism.html#LODGING
Meals
Fees include lunches and breaks. If you reserve lodging at the Lowell Center, breakfast is included in your room rate.
Fee and Payment Information
School for Workers fees include tuition, instructional materials, lunches and breaks. Participants are responsible for arranging their own lodging. For information go to Lodging Reservations
To assure participation in the course, registration forms should be received by the deadline.
PAYMENT BY CHECK: Make checks payable to UW-Extension. Please DO NOT INCLUDE lodging fees in your payments to the School for Workers. Mail to: School for Workers Registration, 610 Langdon St, Rm 422, Madison, WI 53703.
PAYMENT BY CREDIT CARD: Use our secure Registration form to enter your credit card information or, if you prefer, phone that information to our office 608-262-2112.
Participants will receive confirmation information approximately two weeks prior to the course.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancellation notification must be 14 days or more prior to the program start date. If notification is less than 14 days, the cancellation fee will be: $100.00. The School for Workers reserves the right to cancel programs when enrollment criteria are not met or when conditions beyond our control intervene. If the School for Workers cancels a class, class fees are refunded in full, but additional costs incurred are the responsibility of the registrants.