FALL 2009 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 at our secure site
- Leadership I: Leading your Union
- Worker's Compensation
- Pension Bargaining
- Developing a Contract Campaign
- Time Study
- Leadership II: Personal Leadership Skills
- Building Arguments for Bargaining Power
THREE WAYS TO SAVE!
Take advantage of 2008 Rates in 2009 - The School for Workers is not increasing class fees this fall if registrations are received early. In order to take advantage of this policy, you must register no later than one month before the class date. If your registration is received less than one month before the class date, the higher 2009 fee will be required.
Save on lodging in 2009- The Lowell Center will be charging a reduced room rate ($70 single; $80 double) to those who make their guest room reservations no later than one month before the class date. Be sure to mention your class name when making your reservation and verify the room rate.
Leadership I and II Scholarships - Signing up for Leadership I: Leading your union or Leadership II: Personal Leadership Skills? After you register the first person from your local, receive a $50 scholarship for each additional local member who joins the class. To qualify, all registrants must be from the same local. Scholarship checks will be issued after the class has run.
Information
Conference Centers & Parking
Meals
Lodging Reservations
Fee & Payment Information
Cancellation Policy
Travel to & around Madison
Leadership I: Leading your Union
September 14-16, 2009
Registration form
Do you want to improve your organizational skills as a union leader? The first module on union leadership focuses on the nuts and bolts of running an effective organization so that your union is positioned to grow and thrive. Our agenda for the three days includes effective organizational communication, budgeting and planning, conducting effective meetings/parliamentary procedure, and building internal capacity. Throughout the program, the emphasis will be on strategies to engage members to be more active in their union and how to leverage this people power to expand union effectiveness.
Applicable toward the Union Governance & Administration Certificate. See Certificates
Registration deadline: August 14
This 3-day program begins at 8:00 a.m. Monday with registration. It concludes at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday.
Fee: $380.00 if you register by August 14 ($420 after August 14 )
Register a second or third local member and they each will receive a $50 scholarship.
Location: Lowell Center
Worker's Compensation
October 5-9, 2009
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."
Applicable toward the Union Governance & Administration Certificate. See Certificates
Registration deadline: September 4
This 5-day program begins at 8:30 a.m. Monday with registration. It concludes at 12:00 noon on Friday.
Fee: $490.00 if you register by September 4 ($540 after September 4)
Location: Pyle Center
Pension Bargaining
Bargaining Defined Benefit and 401(k) Plans
October 14-15, 2009
Registration form
Many defined-benefit pension plans are seriously under funded as a consequence of the financial crisis that began in the fall of 2008. In plan years 2009 and 2010, employers will be legally required to make large contributions to their pension trusts to meet the stricter funding requirements of the Pension Protection Act of 2006. These demands on cash flow will occur at a time when many firms are already strapped for cash. Now more than ever, it is essential that union representatives understand how to evaluate the funding status and accounting costs of defined-benefit plans.
As employers make increasingly aggressive demands to freeze benefit formulas, participation of new employees and service accumulation of current employees, unions must be able to evaluate the costs of union and employer proposals and their impact on employee benefits. Many employers are proposing to create new 401(k) plans or to sweeten existing plans as part of a package that includes freezing the defined-benefit plan.
How do benefit levels compare between the 401(k) and defined-benefit plans? How are 401(k) costs split between employees and employers? How can yield and security be improved in 401(k) plans? This program will help you to approach pension bargaining from an informed and strategic perspective.
(Note: This program does not cover multi-employer plans)
Topics Covered:
- Financial analysis of funding levels and cost in defined-benefit plans
- Assessing the impact of bargaining proposals on cost and benefit levels
- Understanding ERISA, PPA and WRERA regulations and their impact on bargaining
- Analyzing costs and benefit levels in 401(k) plans and cash balance plans
- Hands on experience in formulating bargaining goals and a bargaining strategy
Applicable toward the Collective Bargaining Certificate. See Certificates
Registration deadline: September 14
This program begins at 8:00 a.m. Wednesday with registration. It concludes Thursday at 4:30 p.m..
Fee: $300.00 if you register by September 14 ($330 after September 14)
Location: Pyle Center
Developing a Contract Campaign
October 19-21, 2009
Registration form
The collective bargaining process involves much more than face-to-face exchanges at the negotiating table. Unions win better contracts when they utilize carefully planned, strategic contract campaigns to mobilize their members, involve their communities in the struggle and increase pressure on their employer.
This course will help union activists plan and build contract campaigns that mobilize the power of union members. We will explore:
- Campaign planning and goal setting
- Developing worksite leaders
- Involving members in all aspects of the campaign
- Applying escalating pressure on the employer
- Working with community and political allies
- Internal and external communication strategies
- Energizing the membership and employing innovative tactics
Applicable toward the Collective Bargaining Certificate. See Certificates
Registration deadline: September 19
Registration is Monday at 8:00 a.m. The program ends Wednesday at 4:00 p.m.
Fee: $380.00 if you register by September 19 ($420 after September 19)
Location: Lowell Center
Time Study
October 26-30, 2009
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. See Certificates
Registration deadline: September 25
Registration for all participants will be at 8:30 a.m. Monday. The program concludes at noon Friday.
Fee: $495.00 if you register by September 25 ($545 after September 25)
Location: Lowell Center
Leadership II: Personal Leadership Skills
December 2-4, 2009
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 your 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
- how to develop consensus and get results
This program emphasizes the development of personal skills for building effective unions and can be paired with the September program, Leadership I: Leading your Union.
Applicable toward the Union Governance & Administration Certificate. See Certificates
Registration deadline: November 2
This program begins at 8:00 a.m. Wednesday with registration. It concludes at 3:00 p.m. Friday.
Fee: $380.00 if you register by November 2 ($420 after November 2)
Register a second or third local member and they each will receive a $50 scholarship.
Location: Pyle Center
Building Arguments for Bargaining Power
December 8-10, 2009
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 you 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."
Applicable toward the Collective Bargaining Certificate. See Certificates
Registration deadline: November 9
This 3-day program begins at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday with registration. It concludes Thursday at 3:00 p.m.
Fee: $380 if you register by November 9 ($420 after November 9)
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 only $70/single, $80/double, if you make your reservation one month before the class start date. After that rates are $89/single and $99/double. Be sure to mention your class name when making your reservation and verify the room rate.
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/Visitors/diningStaying.cfm
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.
PAYMENT IS DUE 14 days before the class start date.
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.