Working Effectively With Trade Unions Training Course
Do you or your team need to master the art of union negotiations and enhance your workplace relations? Our expert-led workshop is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate the evolving landscape of union relations effectively.
Description
This training programme will help delegates work and communicate in a confident and collaborative manner with their trade union colleagues. Understand how to optimise union relations in the current uncertain climate and how to effectively resolve internal and external disputes.
This course offers you an opportunity to learn from trainers with real-world, front-line experience in union negotiations. You'll gain a comprehensive understanding of the entire process, from strategy and preparation to delivery, using practical case studies and hands-on activities to prepare you for real-life scenarios. You'll also learn how to minimise fallout if things go wrong and can benefit from open, confidential discussions under the Chatham House Rule.
Agenda
09:30 Welcome, introduction and house-keeping
09:40 Creating and maintaining workable union relationships
- Principles and practice: the essentials
- The context and history of how unions have evolved and what their role is today
- Current national challenges and policies under the Labour Government
- Post-covid landscape and other factors: what should employers be planning for?
10:15 The anatomy of a union: essential elements you need to know about
- What does it mean if someone is a member of a TU?
- What steps are unions taking to encourage engagement?
- Trade union structure
- What does it mean if an employer recognises a TU?
- Understanding and defining the role of the union representative
- The current trade union landscape
- A background of challenges for TUs over the past 25 years
- TU membership levels
- Who are the key players?
- What are the current hot topics?
- Why and how to unions target particular employers?
- What defence strategies are there?
11:00 Comfort break
11:15 The importance of communication: who says what, when, where and how?
- Understanding the elements and dynamics of a good communication policy
- Crisis preparedness and management: Where and how can it unravel?
- Essential elements and actions of an effective crisis management policy
- What are TUs good at communicating about?
- What are TUs not so good at?
- Ways in which employers can retain credibility and goodwill
12:00 Lunch
13:00 Effectively engaging and communicating with trade unions: the roles of employer and employees
- Accompanying employees
- Information and consultation
- Approaches to consultation
- Why inform and consult?
- Information, consultation and negotiation
- Collective bargaining
- Leverage
- A model of collective bargaining
- Types of collective bargaining
- Suggested process
14:15 Comfort break
14:25 Understanding and Preparing for Negotiations
- Identifying and maintaining core business objectives
- Understanding negotiation: key elements of practice and psychology
- Preparing for negotiations: ten essential questions to ensure success
- What can employees contribute?
- Top tips
- Roles in negotiations
- Breaking a deadlock
- Avoiding delaying tactics
- Stalling for time
- BATNA
- What if it all goes wrong? Alternative strategies to try
15:10 Comfort break
15:20 Day-to-day issues that can affect a good working relationship
This interactive session will present scenarios and situations for delegates to use the skills they have learned today to tackle likely challenges. With input and feedback from our expert trainers, attendees will grasp the tools and gain the confidence needed to build and maintain effective union relationships across all sectors.
- Handling disciplinary cases
- Handling grievances
- Dealing with the minutiae
- Developing a joint problem-solving culture
- Effective strategies for dealing with challenging behaviours
16:05 Closing Q&A
A chance to bring specific issues for our experts to address. You are encouraged to share and debate the particular challenges you’re facing and benefit from the expertise and input of our seasoned trainers.
16:15 End of training course
What our delegates say
"The case studies and hands-on activities were incredibly valuable. I feel much more confident in handling union negotiations now."
"A must-attend for anyone dealing with unions. The insights and techniques shared are game-changers."
"I couldn't believe how useful the conflict resolution strategies were. The session gave me the tools to handle disputes in a calm and constructive way, and it's already making a big difference in our union relations."
Who the Course is For
This course is designed for employers, managers, and HR professionals who want to improve their union relations, enhance their negotiation skills, and effectively handle grievances.
Learning Outcomes
- Be more confident in dealing with the Unions on a day-to-day basis
- Understand how to work collaboratively with Union reps
- Strengthen their communications with Union reps and the workforce as a whole
- Gain insight into the rise of the Unions: their strengths and weaknesses
- Know what drives and motivates the Unions and how to devise effective strategies
- Understand the difference between engagement, consultation and negotiation
- Understand the ins and outs of collective bargaining
- Prepare more effectively for negotiations
- Reduce the risk of industrial action
- Improve employee confidence and trust in your organisation
- Manage day-to-day issues more quickly and efficiently
FAQs
What does BFI specialise in?
BFI provides expert-led training in HR compliance, employment law, immigration for employers, union relations, workplace inclusion, and AI and talent solutions.
Who typically attends your courses?
Attendees include HR managers, legal teams, compliance officers, operations leaders, and public sector employers.
Are your trainers practitioners?
Yes. All trainers are experienced specialists; we feature practitioners from the public and private sectors as well as lawyers, policy advisers, former regulators, and consultants.
How do I book a course?
Choose an event on the website and click Register. You can pay online with a credit card or request an invoice.
Do you accept purchase orders?
Yes. Public and private-sector organisations may use PO numbers. These can be added during the registration process, or can be retrospectively added to am invoice if the place has been booked already.
We need to set you up as a Supplier, can you complete a form or send me over your company information?
Yes, we can do either; please contact us via info@bfi.co.uk
Can I get a PO number added to our invoice?
Yes, please send details through to info@bfi.co.uk or reply to us using your confirmation email
Do you offer group discounts?
Yes. Discounts for multiple bookings are automatically applied at checkout. For groups of over ten, it may be more cost-effective to run the course in-house. Call 01983 861133 for details
Can I transfer my place to another date or colleague?
Yes. Substitutions are free, and transfers are typically allowed within a set timeframe.
What is your cancellation policy?
BFI follows standard UK training-industry cancellation terms.
How are online courses delivered?
Training is delivered live via Zoom with interactive Q\&A and case-based discussion.
Will I receive slides and supporting materials?
Yes. Attendees receive slides, templates (where relevant), and many other useful documents and links.
Will I receive a copy of the event recording?
Our monthly subscription and webinar clients receive recordings of the live sessions; otherwise we do not record our courses to encourage confidential discussion and questions under the Chatham House Rule
What time zone are online events delivered in?
All events are delivered in UTC / London time unless otherwise stated
What is included in in-person events?
Full-day training includes refreshments, full documentation which is emailed prior to the event and networking opportunities.
Are your venues accessible?
Yes. All venues are fully accessible.
Are your courses CPD-certified?
Many courses are accredited by The CPD Certification Service.
Can I ask questions about my organisation’s situation?
Yes. Trainers answer questions during the session and can respond afterward.
Will the training help us prepare for an audit?
Yes, on our audit courses you will learn what triggers visits, what officers look for, and how to evidence compliance.
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. All attendees receive a digital certificate of course completion.
Do you offer private or in-house training?
Yes. All courses can be tailored for your team. Visit https://bfi.co.uk/team-training/
Do you offer consultancy?
Yes. BFI offers policy reviews, audit preparation, HR compliance support, and workforce advisory services.