Labor Relations in Practice (LRIP)

Labor Relations in Practice: Essential Tools and Skills for Labor and Management is our newest online certificate. We will provide HR and LR professionals with the skills to effectively engage in specific areas of labor relations. Our instructors are experts in their field and work as Rutgers SMLR faculty, arbitrators, labor attorneys and educators. This certificate will be offered beginning in the fall of 2026 along with our existing certificates in Negotiation, Arbitration and Conflict Resolution, and Public Sector Labor Relations.

Fall 2026 - Spring 2027 Schedule - NEW COURSES

The Inclusive Workplace: Navigating Dynamics and the Law 
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Thursday, September 18, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. (EST)
Instructor: Akhila Naik, Esq.

This course is designed for Union and HR professionals. Participants will engage in practical exercises to improve communication, collaboration, and workplace interactions within legal frameworks that shape inclusive workplaces. The focus will be on aligning and developing actionable skills that support both employee rights and organizational goals while reinforcing anti-discrimination laws that govern workplace conduct.

Mastering Negotiation Soft Skills  
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Friday, October 23, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. (EST)
Instructor: Carla Katz, Esq., J.D.,

Negotiation success often depends on the soft skills you bring to the table. How do you communicate, build trust, handle conflict, and respond when conversations become difficult? Even experienced negotiators can sometimes find themselves stuck in unproductive patterns or walk away from conversations feeling frustrated and unheard. Unlike a traditional collective bargaining course that focuses on bargaining structure and strategy, this course focuses on the human side of negotiation. Through practical exercises, role plays, and discussion, you will strengthen soft skills such as communicating under pressure, dealing with challenging personalities, active listening, and building trust. You will also learn new skills to help you become a better negotiator in all areas of your life.

Workplace Investigations  
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Friday, November 13, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. (EST)
Instructor: Carla Katz, Esq., J.D.,

Workplace Investigations is a skill-based course for Labor Relations and Human Resource professionals, including union staff and officers. Professor Katz will cover numerous types of workplace investigations and investigatory interviews, including investigations of discrimination. She will cover the steps of effective investigations, and relevant labor law. You will learn about Weingarten Rights, Loudermill due process rights prior to termination, and Garrity rights against self-incrimination and duty of fair representation.

Effective Meeting Facilitation and Decision Making   
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Thursday, December 10, 2026
Time: 9 a.m - 2 p.m. (EST)
Instructor: Sue Schurman

This course will cover the essential skills required for effective meeting facilitation and decision making including: agenda setting, ground rules, discussing difficult issues, managing disruptive individuals and reaching consensus. Students will learn when to use Roberts Rules and when to use alternative meeting ground rules; and practice using active listening and asking questions to encourage open discussion.

Drafting Effective Contract Language    
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Thursday, January 21, 2027
Time: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. (EST)
Instructor: Adrienne Eaton

This course will cover the reasons contract language matters including arbitrator decision making, guidelines for language, language to avoid and why, practice drafting and improving language.

Arbitrating Disciplinary Cases   
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Thursday, February 18, 2027
Time: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. (EST)
Instructor: James Cooney

Improve your skills in arbitrating disciplinary cases. Topics will include the just cause standard, progressive discipline, disparate treatment, information demands, deciding whether the grievant should testify, and preparing for the hearing. Students will also engage in practical exercises, by assuming the role of arbitrator and issuing "decisions" on factual scenarios based on real disciplinary cases

Introduction to Costing Out Collective Bargaining Agreement Proposals for Unions and Management   

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Friday, March 19, 2027
Time: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. (EST)
Instructor: Patrick Khalil, Contract Campaigns Manager, AFL-CIO

This class will cover the concepts and underlying math that are essential for negotiating the economic components of collective bargaining agreements, including wages, benefits, and paid leave. We will review ways to use Excel to automate calculations, simplify the process, and ensure accuracy. This will involve CBA analysis, best practices regarding assumptions, and guidance for discussing economics during negotiations so that both sides understand each other. This is designed for the practical work of preparing for negotiations, as well as handling real-time calculations at the bargaining table.