Program Overview

This two-day program will provide participants with competencies in collaborative negotiations and joint problem-solving, leading to greater confidence to engage in collective bargaining that builds relationships and achieves the best possible results for all parties. Participants will learn strategies for conflict de-escalation, including managing bias and emotions, and practice applying these skills through several different collective bargaining simulations. Emphasis is placed on building trust through open communications and leveraging opportunities for joint problem-solving throughout the administration of the collective agreement to achieve mutually beneficial bargaining outcomes for both employers and unions.

• Key Learning Objectives

  Participants will: 

  • Understand collective bargaining fundamentals and power dynamics 
  • Learn how to build trust by embedding joint problem-solving approaches throughout the labour relations life cycle 
  • Identify structural, cognitive, and emotional barriers to collaborative negotiations and building effective bargaining teams and committees 
  • Practice the application of conflict de-escalation strategies and effective communication skills during customized simulation experience
• Who Should Attend
  Union bargaining committee members/employer committee members or anyone who will be engaged in collective bargaining negotiations on behalf of their employer/union. 

Instructor Profile

Dionne Pohler, PhD, B.Comm, CPHR Dionne is an associate professor at the University of Saskatchewan Edwards School of Business and holds the Co-operative Retailing System Chair in Co-operative Governance with the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy and the Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives. She was previously a faculty member and Acting Director at the University of Toronto Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources and vice-chair of a federal independent taskforce responsible for making recommendations on modernizing the Employment Equity Act. Dionne holds a PhD in Human Resources and Industrial Relations from the University of Alberta School of Business, a Bachelor of Commerce from Dalhousie University, and a Chartered Professional in Human Resources designation from CPHR Saskatchewan. She has been the recipient of three teaching awards and four international research awards. Her research and teaching covers topics including: unions and labour relations, organizational governance, labour and social policy, gender earnings gaps, and rural co-operative development. She edited Reimagining the Governance of Work and Employment (2020), and co-edited Building Inclusive Communities in Rural Canada (2023).

Kristin Anderson Kristin has been the Executive Director of Labour Relations and Mediation at the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety and has been with LRWS since 2011. She holds over 20 years of experience working with conflict and developing programs to prevent or address conflict and leading teams of professionals. Kristin’s areas of expertise are restorative justice, peacebuilding, human rights, civil conflict, cross cultural conflict, reconciliation, labour disputes and labour negotiations.  As an experienced negotiator and mediator. Kristin has been involved in effectively resolving high conflict disputes in South Africa, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Namibia and Canada, helping people come to agreements in desperate situations. Kristin holds a Master’s Degree in Transitional Justice and a Post-Graduate Degree in Social Development, from The University of Cape Town, as well as a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Social Anthropology from the University of Saskatchewan.   She is a Chartered Mediator with ADR Canada.

Cancellation

• At least or equal to fifteen (15) business days in advance of the course commencement date and all collateral (textbook, etc.) returned to Edwards Executive Education, will be subject to a $35.00 plus taxes administration fee.
• Less than fifteen (15) business days prior to the course commencement date will be subject to a $1,235.00 plus tax administration fee.
• Less than five (5) business days prior to the course commencement date will be subject to full course tuition cost.
• Non-attendance will incur full course tuition costs. 

Program Transfers

• One course transfer will be permitted without penalty if the cancellation request is received more than fifteen (15) business days prior to the course start date.
• Program transfers within fifteen (15) business days of the course start date will be subject to a $335.00 plus tax administration fee.
• All collateral (textbook, etc.) must be returned to Edwards Executive Education before the transfer will be processed.
• Transfer requests must be scheduled within six (6) months of the initial purchase.
• Alternate program transfers may be approved dependent on course availability.
• Each subsequent transfer request will be subject to a $335.00 plus tax administration fee.
• Applicants will be responsible for any price difference in program fees at the time of the request.

Fees are subject to change without notice.