Overview of Employment Law (2 hours)
This class will provide union leaders with an overview of the U.S. employment laws that affect fire fighters and emergency workers. Union leaders will learn how the courts define harassment and discrimination in the workplace and how to respond to members who believe their rights have been violated. This information will help union leaders better serve the needs of their membership.

REVISED: Understanding the Fair Labor Standards Act (4 hours)
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is a federal law that sets requirements for minimum wage and overtime compensation for employers in the United States. Affiliate leaders should become familiar with these requirements to ensure that their departments are in compliance with the law. This workshop will teach affiliate leaders how to calculate their overtime compensation and recover lost wages if their employers are in violation of the FLSA.

Discipline: Your Rights and Responsibilities as Union Officers (2 hours)
This class will provide union leaders with an overview of their rights and responsibilities during the employment disciplinary process. Union leaders will learn how to best represent their members in accordance with their contract, civil service laws, and the Weingarten, Loudermill and Garrity laws. This class is applicable to affiliate leaders in collective bargaining and non-collective bargaining environments.

Duty of Fair Representation (2 hours)
As an affiliate leader, you may be subject to a legal standard known as “duty of fair representation” that governs how you represent your members in contract negotiations, grievances and other labor matters. In this class, you will study relevant case law to learn what is required of affiliate leaders, how the courts have interpreted this standard, the consequences of violating the standard, and best practices for avoiding DFR lawsuits.

NEW: Fighting Anti-Union Retaliation (2 hours)
This workshop is for union officers looking for a legal primer on the laws protecting them against retaliation for their activities, covering constitutional protections and typical state laws; the remedies and venues in enforcing them; and tips for avoiding some common (and costly) mistakes. During this workshop, affiliate leaders will learn how to build a strong case and how the IAFF can assist them in handling these matters.

Running a Local Union Election (2 hours)
There are few events more important to your membership than local officer elections. Running an election, however, is much more complicated than just counting the ballots. From enforcing eligibility rules to striking invalid ballots, careful planning is required to conform to legal and constitutional requirements. In this workshop, IAFF legal Counsel will describe the unforeseen issues that may arise in a typical election. Participants will also engage in a mock problematic election and will use their newfound expertise to resolve the situation in a legally defensible manner.

LEADERSHIP

Dimensions of Leadership (2 hours)
This session is designed to assist participants in better understanding their leadership qualities. During the program, you will complete a Dimensions of Leadership Profile to discover your leadership characteristics. Then, you will learn how to capitalize on your strengths and use them in bargaining, team building, or command situations. In addition, you will learn how to encourage other potential leaders within your local to contribute when a combination of skills are needed to complement your own.

Advanced Leadership: Principles of Leadership (2 hours)
This workshop builds on the Dimensions of Leadership workshop by addressing Leadership theory and application in day-to-day practical situations. Participants will address the concepts of Leadership principle, micromanagement, change, Leadership perspective, and labor/management synergy using corporate America as examples. Dimensions of Leadership is a pre-requisite to this workshop.

NEW: Advanced Leadership: Conflict Resolution (2 hours)
The third in the series of Leadership workshops, this session will teach affiliate leaders how to become more effective in resolving conflicts. In this workshop, participants will complete a profile that will allow them to see how others may perceive them during a conflict or disagreement. They will then move through a series of steps that will take them from judging others to valuing those who have differing opinions. Dimensions of Leadership and Advanced Leadership: Principles of Leadership, are pre-requisites for this workshop.

NEW: Ethics for Union Leaders (2 hours)
Most IAFF leaders are public employees and have fiduciary responsibilities to their membership. Due to the nature of their positions, they are subject to a higher ethical standard than the average member or employee. These standards must be upheld in order to maintain the trust of their members and run an effective local. Failure to do so can result in loss of credibility, loss of union position, or even criminal charges. This workshop will cover the principles of ethics, the requirements of public employees, and strategies for making ethical decisions. Affiliate leaders will use these strategies to analyze scenarios and case studies.

NEW: Effective Teaching Methods for Union Leaders (6 hours)
As part of their union duties, affiliate leaders may be responsible for training their members on labor issues and fire industry trends. This workshop is designed by the IAFF’s Department of Education to teach affiliate leaders a training approach that maximizes student learning and retention. Affiliate leaders will learn how to apply adult learning principles to their training techniques, encourage student participation, and handle typical problems that arise in the classroom. In addition, IAFF staff members will give an overview of the educational programs provided by the IAFF.

NEW: Strategic Planning for Union Leaders (2 hours)
The daily challenges facing today’s labor leaders can be overwhelming. When faced with multiple priorities and responsibilities, it’s easy for union officers to overlook the big picture. This workshop will discuss the importance of strategic planning for your local union. You will learn how to set goals, develop a strategy to obtain these goals, and evaluate the effectiveness of your plan.

NEW: A Union Building Approach to Joint Labor/Management Committees and Programs (4 hours)
Joint labor/management committees can be a mechanism for the union to get problems resolved, get input into decision-making, and better represent union members. Or – these committees can be a waste of valuable union time and actually weaken the union. In this workshop, affiliate leaders will learn how to structure joint committees so that the union is an equal participant and able to bring union concerns to the table and have them addressed. The workshop will focus on how to prepare for joint committee meetings and how to “act like a union” in a joint setting.

How to Run a Meeting (2 hours)
The manner in which you run your union meetings will affect member attendance and how you are perceived as a leader. A well-run meeting will draw more attendees and help you earn the respect of your membership. In this class, you will learn IAFF meeting protocol and etiquette; how to plan for and conduct an efficient and productive meeting; and methods for handling conflict. This class is ideal for local union officers with limited experience running local union meetings.

Increasing Membership Participation (2 hours)
The strength of a local union depends on the active involvement of its members. Whether it’s a committee meeting, political campaign or public relations effort, your members make the difference between success and failure. This class provides methods to increase membership participation and build an effective union.

Internal Union Organizing (2 hours)
For a local union to be most effective in achieving its goals, it must have the majority of the fire department (or EMS organization) as members. A united membership has more resources at its disposal and more bargaining power. In this class, you will determine the key reasons for lack of affiliation and develop strategies to increase your membership.

SAFETY & HEALTH

NEW: EMS System Design (4 hours)
Fire service-based emergency medical (EMS) systems are strategically positioned to deliver time-critical response and effective patient care. Fire service-based EMS provides this pivotal public safety service while also emphasizing responder safety, competent and compassionate workers, and cost-effective operations. This workshop will guide participants in gathering data and other information relevant to developing an EMS proposal for system design changes. Participants will also learn the appropriate way to discuss EMS with political decision-makers to assure understanding that the delivery of EMS is not tied to an ambulance. This workshop is useful for those who work in departments that provide full EMS delivery and those that provide only EMS first response.

NEW: GASB 45 (2 hours)
Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) 45, a new accounting rule, says that public employers can no longer report post-retirement health benefits on a pay-as-you-go basis and instead account for and report the annual cost of other post-retirement benefits (OPEB) for current and future retirees. While public employers do not have to actually pre-fund OPEB benefits, the rule may push many jurisdictions to consider cost-cutting measures that could affect the financial health and well-being of IAFF members. This presentation will address these issues and discuss potential solutions for maintaining existing OPEB benefits.

NEW: Health Care 101 (2 hours)
Obtaining and protecting quality health care coverage is a key issue for affiliate leaders. This workshop gives a 101 on health care—the types of plans, key concepts, health care terminology, and choosing insurance coverage with members in mind. Participants will dissect real insurance plans and compare benefit options so they can learn to work with management to select the best coverage for their membership. Trends and current issues in health care are discussed as affiliate leaders learn to become advocates for health care in their locals.

NEW: Best Practices in Joint Health Care Committees (2 hours)
As the price of health care continues to rise, affiliate leaders must develop strategies to maintain their level of coverage while minimizing costs. This workshop outlines best practices in forming a joint labor/management health care committee, including its structure, function, duties and committee effectiveness. Affiliate leaders will use these skills to work in a mock committee and handle real-life challenges that might be faced by their locals. Health Care 101 is recommended before taking this course.

Panel: Wellness/Fitness, CPAT & Infectious Diseases (4 hours)
An expert panel of IAFF staff will discuss the latest developments in wellness/fitness, CPAT and protection from infectious diseases. Learn more about IAFF health and safety initiatives that can benefit your members .

Writing Effective Fire Act Grants (2 hours)
Each year, the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (Fire Act) provides millions of dollars to U.S. fire departments for equipment, materials and training. The key to securing this funding lies in developing a strong and concise grant narrative. This class will give you practical experience in writing an effective narrative using examples from successful applications.

Introduction to NFPA 1710 (2 hours)
The passage of the NFPA 1710 Standard is one of the most important advancements in the fire service and public safety. This class is designed to help you become familiar with its requirements for fire suppression, emergency medical services and support systems. This class is a prerequisite for NFPA 1710: Evaluating Your Fire Department and NFPA 1710: Implementation.

NFPA 1710: Evaluating Your Fire Department (2 hours)
In this class, you will learn how to identify the areas in which your fire department complies with NFPA 1710 and those in which it falls short. After identifying potential problem areas, you will learn how to develop a plan to bring your fire department in compliance with the Standard. Introduction to NFPA 1710 is a prerequisite for this class.

NFPA 1710: Implementation (2 hours)
This class provides information on how to build a campaign to implement NFPA 1710 in your community. You will learn how to develop a campaign strategy, create a political action plan and communicate with the media to achieve your goals. Introduction to NFPA 1710 is a prerequisite for this class.

NEGOTIATIONS

Preparing for Negotiations: Collective Bargaining (2 hours)
The collective bargaining process allows you to negotiate for wages, benefits and other conditions of employment. To be successful at the bargaining table, you must thoroughly research and develop your strategy. In this class, you will learn how to set realistic goals for your membership and collect data to support your case. This class is a prerequisite for Conducting Negotiations: Collective Bargaining. (It is recommended that you also register for Municipal Financial Analysis.)

Conducting Negotiations: Collective Bargaining (4 hours)
Actively negotiating a contract is one of the most important functions our leadership can perform for members and is the key ingredient in labor/management relations. In this class, you will participate in mock negotiation sessions, learn how to apply bargaining techniques, and create ground rules that benefit unions. Preparing for Negotiations: Collective Bargaining is a prerequisite for this class.

NEW: Writing Contract Language (6 hours)
When drafting contract language, affiliate leaders must choose their words carefully so that each article reflects their intent and puts them in the best bargaining position. The language in a collective bargaining agreement is precise, and one word could alter the meaning of an entire section. This workshop will teach affiliate leaders how to interpret a labor agreement, draft clear and unambiguous language, work with “borrowed” contract language, and understand the full impact of their goals. Affiliate leaders will be able to practice these skills by drafting articles of a contract and initial proposals to bring to the bargaining table. It is helpful for novice negotiators to register for Preparing for Negotiations: Collective Bargaining and Conducting Negotiations: Collective Bargaining before attending this class.

Negotiation Strategies & Tactics (6 hours)
Skilled negotiators are proficient in key strategies and tactics that significantly improve their bargaining positions. In this class, you will analyze the power structure of negotiating committees, determine the real impact of your proposals, identify typical management tactics, interpret hidden meanings behind signals at the bargaining table, and make timely and appropriate counter-offers. This class will give you exercises to practice each of these new skills. It is helpful, though not required, to take this class before taking Advanced Skills for Negotiators.

Advanced Skills for Negotiators (6 hours)
To get results at the bargaining table, a negotiator must be able to develop a bargaining strategy and master key negotiation skills. In this class, you will learn how to strengthen your bargaining position, determine an acceptable settlement range, respond to common management tactics and objections, make concessions, and package your proposals. You will have opportunities to practice these skills and participate in mock negotiation sessions. This session is designed for experienced negotiators who wish to improve their skills at the bargaining table. It is helpful for novice negotiators to register for Preparing for Negotiations: Collective Bargaining, Conducting Negotiations: Collective Bargaining, and/or Negotiation Strategies and Tactics before attending this class.

Non-Collective Bargaining Environments: Achieving Goals (2 hours)
It can be a challenge to secure wages and benefit improvements in jurisdictions that do not allow collective bargaining. Despite the absence of collective bargaining laws, there are many things you can do to help your membership achieve its goals. In this class, you will learn how to use the strength of your membership to win over the opposition.

Municipal Financial Analysis (2 hours)
To effectively negotiate for proper staffing and reasonable wage and benefit increases, a local must know the basic financial condition of its government. Municipal Financial Analysis is a service provided by the IAFF that examines a jurisdiction's financial records and determines its financial condition. In this class, you will learn to interpret municipal financial analysis documents and use this information to strengthen your negotiations.

Understanding Municipal Budgets (2 hours)
Involvement in your municipal budget process will help ensure that fire suppression, rescue and EMS delivery are top priorities in your community. This class provides an overview of the components of a municipal budget as well as real-life case studies that exhibit skills leaders need to succeed in this arena. Affiliate leaders will learn that participating in the budgeting process can lessen the fights over dollars after the budget is passed. This is an opportunity for affiliate leaders to learn how to create their future, not have it dictated to them.

UNION ADMINISTRATION

UPDATED: Secretary/Treasurers & Taxes (4 hours)
As part of their fiduciary responsibilities, local secretary/treasurers must interpret and prepare tax documents for their locals. This class will address such topics as contractor vs. employee issues; individual tax deductions; record keeping and financial reporting; fund raising; IRS forms and IRS audits. This workshop will also highlight the recent IRS changes to the 990 form.

Budgeting for Local Unions (2 hours)
Budgeting is an essential function for those who safeguard local union assets. In this class, you will learn the art of planning your local's income and expenditures. Topics discussed will include preparing, adopting and amending your budget as well as identifying items that should be part of your plan. This class is ideal for local union officers who are new to budgeting.

Introduction to Grievances (2 hours)
The manner in which you process grievances will determine how quickly they are resolved and how your members will perceive you. An understanding of the grievance process will better enable you to enforce the collective bargaining agreement and avoid costly arbitration hearings. In this class, you will learn how to evaluate and file a grievance, reduce your chances of receiving a DFR claim, and develop grievance strategies. This class is ideal for local union officers who work in collective bargaining environments and have limited experience with grievances.

Preparing for Grievance Arbitration: Evidence (2 hours)
To win your case in grievance arbitration, it is crucial to have evidence to support your arguments and assertions. Without sufficient evidence, it would be difficult to convince an arbitrator to rule in your favor. This class will teach you how to gather evidence and determine which types carry the most weight with arbitrators.

Preparing for Grievance Arbitration: Contract Language (2 hours)
The collective bargaining agreement is a contract between the union and management that outlines wages, benefits, and working conditions. To maintain flexibility in the workplace, negotiators sometimes include language that is ambiguous or general. Occasionally, this ambiguity leads to disputes over the meaning of the contract. When disputes are brought to arbitration, the arbitrator must determine which interpretation is reasonable and best reflects the mutual intent of the parties. This session will teach you how arbitrators consider contract language, past practice, and other factors to reach a decision.

NEW: Representing Injured Workers (6 hours)
This workshop will provide union leaders with an overview of the situations, conditions, and laws that affect fire fighters and emergency workers when they are injured, both on- and off-the-job. Union leaders will learn about the laws and insurance policies involved in workplace injuries and illnesses, as well as the contract articles and employer policies that affect injured or sick workers. This information will help union leaders better serve and represent the needs of their membership.

POLITICS & PUBLIC RELATIONS

Planning a Fire Ops 101 Event (2 hours)
Fire Ops is a unique event that teaches elected officials and community leaders about the risks and challenges involved in the fire service. At this event, decision-makers suit up in protective gear and put out fires, rescue victims and perform other duties that fire fighters and EMS workers do on the job. Through Fire Ops 101, participants learn about the importance of sufficient staffing and the critical role that time plays on the scene of an emergency. A Fire Ops 101 event is one of the most effective ways an IAFF local can build relationships with its elected officials, the media, and department management. This class serves as a complement to the pre-conference Fire Ops 101 Train the Trainer and will focus on how to customize a Fire Ops 101 event for your community.

Building Coalitions (2 hours)
A coalition is a group of individuals or organizations that work together to achieve common goals and solve problems. A coalition can be formal or informal in structure depending upon its purpose. Due to its size and scope, a coalition can often accomplish more than an individual organization. This class will teach affiliate leaders how to build coalitions and use them to achieve their goals.

Introduction to Public Relations (2 hours)
A strategic public relations program will enable your local to use public support to achieve its goals and handle an unforeseen crisis. By communicating effectively with the public and local officials, a union is more likely to secure better wages for its members, improve staffing, and avoid budget cuts. This class is designed to give affiliate leaders the tools and tactics they need to set up a successful public relations program for their local unions.

Introduction to Political Action (2 hours)
Local government officials are ultimately responsible for making decisions that affect the wages and benefits of fire fighters. To secure the best working conditions for your members, it is essential that your local union becomes politically active and backs candidates who support fire fighter issues. This class will give you an overview of the political process and teach you how to set up a plan that is most effective in achieving your goals.

Advocacy In Action: How to Be a More Effective Lobbyist (2 hours)
This workshop offers a practical discussion of how to influence elected officials using hands-on exercises that demonstrate effective advocacy techniques. Topics include involving rank and file union members in an advocacy campaign, crafting a winning message, securing commitments of support.

Spread Your Message: Creating Email Networks (2 hours)
Learn how to create e-mail messaging campaigns and manage networks of activists using the Internet with the AFL-CIO’s Working Families Network (WFN). This free database system can help you inform your members and other constituent groups about important fire fighter issues. In addition to e-mail campaigns, WFN allows participating groups to build a database of activists who can be called on for rallies, political action, election campaigns and other activities.