Labor Relations for Frontline Supervisors

BUILDING CONFIDENCE IN MANAGING IN A UNIONIZED WORKFORCE

Supervising employees in a unionized workplace comes with responsibilities that extend beyond day-to-day management. Frontline supervisors must understand how collective bargaining agreements affect their decisions, how to address employee performance concerns, and how to respond appropriately when workplace issues arise.

Labor Relations for Frontline Supervisors provides practical guidance for supervisors who manage employees covered by collective bargaining agreements. Participants will learn how to interpret and apply contract provisions, document performance concerns, conduct basic workplace investigations, and navigate the grievance process. 

Through real-world examples and discussion, participants will strengthen their ability to make informed decisions, address workplace concerns, and build productive labor-management relationships while minimizing organizational risk.

 

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Upon completion of this program, participants will be better prepared to:

• Recognize different types of unions, identify which employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements, and understand the responsibilities and limitations of frontline supervisors in a unionized workplace.
• Apply collective bargaining agreements. Understand how contracts are negotiated, interpret and apply contract language to everyday supervisory decisions, and recognize when clarification is needed to avoid contractual violations and organizational risk.
• Manage performance and workplace concerns. Set and communicate performance expectations, document employee performance, use performance improvement plans and evaluations, conduct basic workplace investigations, and make appropriate disciplinary decisions.
• Navigate the grievance process. Understand why grievances arise, common grievance issues, required timelines, and the supervisor's role in handling first-step grievances. Learn how to work constructively with union stewards while balancing employee circumstances with contractual requirements.
• Prepare for grievance resolution and hearings. Explore how documentation, past practices, arbitration decisions, and potential settlements influence grievance outcomes. Understand why decisions may be overturned, how to build a stronger case, and the supervisor's role as a witness providing testimony.

 

PROGRAM TOPICS

• Unit 1: Labor Relations Fundamentals and Contract Application

  • Understanding unions and the role of frontline supervisors
  • Reading and interpreting collective bargaining agreements
  • Applying contract provisions to everyday workplace situations
  • Recognizing when to seek clarification or additional guidance

• Unit 2: Performance Management in a Unionized Environment

  • Setting and communicating performance expectations
  • Documenting performance concerns and corrective actions
  • Conducting basic workplace investigations
  • Addressing discipline and working constructively with union representatives

• Unit 3: Understanding and Managing Grievances

  • Common grievances and the supervisor's responsibilities
  • Grievance procedures, timelines, and documentation
  • Working with union stewards and resolving workplace concerns
  • Understanding how contract language, past practices, and arbitration decisions affect grievance outcomes

• Unit 4: Hearings and After-Actions

  • Understanding the supervisor's role in hearings
  • Preparing to serve as a witness and provide testimony

 

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

This program is designed for frontline supervisors, team leaders, and managers who supervise employees covered by collective bargaining agreements. It is especially valuable for individuals who are new to supervising in a unionized environment or who want to strengthen their understanding of labor relations responsibilities.

 

ADDITIONAL LABOR PROGRAMS

• Dates
• Instructors
• Policies
• Recertification

Questions? We would be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding this or any of our training programs. Please contact Director of Professional Development, Melanie Zaremba at mzaremba@msu.edu.