LISTING OF COURSES
BASIC STEWARD TRAINING - CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
(UNION SKILLS)
It is a PEF Policy that all newly elected stewards must complete the Basic Steward Training Program and receive the Basic Steward Training Certificate to effectively represent their members at the work sites. This training will give provide new stewards with the basic union skills necessary to function as a steward with the Division leadership and Field Representative. After completing these training modules, a certificate will be awarded and you will be eligible to take the advanced steward training program. To arrange any of these trainings, please fill out the form below.
NEW STEWARD ORIENTATION - THIS IS PEF
This session will familiarize stewards with a short history of PEF, a description of who is in the PS&T bargaining unit, and a description of the structure of PEF and as well as a description of the various PEF Departments.
#BST01 THE MANY ROLES OF THE STEWARD
This is one of our four new basic steward training modules. This workshop will review the various roles stewards play in the union and will motivate and inspire stewards in the representation of PEF members. Although it is geared for the new steward, experienced stewards are also welcome to attend.
#BST02 KNOW YOUR CONTRACT
In the PEF arena, the contract is the most used booklet, but often the most misunderstood. Through the use of a quiz, role plays and small group activities, participants of the workshop will come to understand the role that the contract plays when resolving workplace issues; locate employee rights, benefits and enforcement procedures within the contract, identify which Articles deal with specific issues, Interpret language used in a contract and outline the grievance procedure. This workshop will help participants better understand how changing contract language can affect them personally.
#BST03 GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
This module will provide stewards with the ability to distinguish between the types of grievances as well as to investigate and file grievances in the appropriate forum. The steward's role on the timeliness of grievance filing is stressed. Grievance role plays are included in this module to give practical experience at grievance processing.
#BST04 DISCIPLINE AND DISCHARGE
In this module, the steward is given the fundamentals of handling disciplinary problems in an orderly and timely fashion. Subjects emphasized are counseling, interrogation, notices of discipline, suspension, range of disciplinary penalties, confidentiality, timeframes and deadlines, and resignation and termination rights.
ADVANCED STEWARD TRAINING
A prerequisite to taking this program of workshops is completion of the Basic Steward Training certificate program. These advanced modules of steward training will give you a more in-depth look at some of the major areas of contract enforcement which assist stewards and leaders in representing their members.
#AST01 STEP II GRIEVANCES
Preparation and Presentation - This workshop will provide you with the skills to prepare and present a grievance at the second step of the grievance procedure covered under Article 34 in your contract. Role pay and group discussion is used to cover the material.
#AST02 THE TAYLOR LAW AND IMPROPER PRACTICE
This workshop will explain the history and background of the Taylor Law, including what it is, how it works and when to use it in the context of our roles as NYS employees and members of PEF. The presenters will demonstrate one of the key aspects of the Taylor Law, - the Improper Practice Charge - and how to identify the difference between an IP and a Grievance.
#AST03 COUNSELING
This workshop focuses on protecting the rights of members when counseling is done by management. This important area of the collective bargaining agreement will be examined through role playing of typical cases that are relevant to PEF members.
#AST04 ARTICLE 17 CLOSE UP - OUT-OF-TITLE WORK IS BAD FOR EVERYONE
This workshop will assist participants in identifying what they do not know about out-of-title work and will provide practical information and discussion on why and how to file Article 17 grievances. The presentation will help you learn what is needed at every stage of the grievance procedure and, what happens when that procedure is exhausted. A review of specific cases will provide insight into what PEF and the State consider to be out-of-title assignments, hi addition, participants will have an opportunity to discuss and ask questions about out-of-title work.
#AST05 PROBLEM SOLVING
Problem solving is a process of identifying the difference between the current state and the desired state of affairs surrounding an issue for you, as union leaders. This workshop will have the participants working together in small groups using a problem solving model. Through this process, you will be able to tackle the ongoing issues brought to you by the rank and file.
#AST06 GRIEVANCE INTERVIEWING TECHNIQUES
When members come to you with problems which may become a grievance, they are often upset, angry, and disorganized. It is critical that the steward utilize effective techniques to elicit all relevant facts of a situation to determine how it will be handled. Using role plays, participants practice the skills of effective interviewing.
#AST07 DUTY OF FAIR REPRESENTATION
What is the union's responsibility in representing a member? Do all potential grievances need to be explored? What does the Taylor Law say about the Duty of Fair Representation? Through a review of several scenarios and related documents and laws, participants examine the legal and contractual sources of authority and accountability for PEF stewards.
#AST08 MEDIA
Learn how to effectively pitch your union stories and events to the local news media; how to handle various types of print and broadcast interviews; and how to speak in "sound bites" to improve your chances of being quoted. Workshop may include a simulated question and answer TV interview with participants. We request a minimum of 12 participants for this workshop.
#AST09 AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
#AST10 CREATING A POWERFUL NEWSLETTER FOR YOUR DIVISION
Explore how an effective newsletter can increase accurate communication with members. Learn how to develop and produce a simple, direct and informative newsletter. This workshop covers tips on design basics, writing, layout, photography and production.
LABOR MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE TRAINING
#LMC01 LABOR/MANAGEMENT - NEW COMMITTEES
This workshop is designed for labor/management teams which may be just forming or have a number of new and inexperienced members. Components of this workshop will be exploring the current labor/management contract language, developing specific issues for your team, writing a working agreement, agenda formation, and planning your first meeting. In addition, behaviors and communication skills are explored in an effort to improve the functioning of your team.
#LMC02 LABOR/MANAGEMENT
This workshop is designed to improve the skills of functioning teams. Utilizing scenes from typical PEF workplaces, workshop participants are asked to identify the "problems" and determine their suitability for labor/management. Small groups will develop issues and make presentations at a mock labor/management meeting.
#LMC03 LABOR/MANAGEMENT: MISSION STATEMENT
This 1 1/2-hour workshop will assist committee members in designing a statement of its mission in order to build cohesiveness and agreement on the committee's goals and activities. Committees without operating agreement or mission statements can benefit from the process explored in this offering.
#LMC04 JOINT LABOR/MANAGEMENT TRAINING: BEYOND ARMED TRUCE
Designed for functioning joint L/M teams, this workshop allows team members to analyze the needs of the team by comparing their perceptions of each others' behaviors in session with behaviors of highly successful L/M teams. Exploring these perceptions leads to improved functioning of your team as you move on issues brought before you.
#LMC05 LABOR/MANAGEMENT - A NEGOTIATION STYLE SURVEY
This workshop is designed for participants to explore their negotiation style and how that style relates to the PEF/NYS Article 24 on Labor/Management. Participants will complete a short inventory of negotiation styles and how their style contributes to successes or failures at the Labor/Management table.
CIVIL SERVICE ENFORCEMENT STEWARD TRAINING
#CSE01 CIVIL SERVICE I
This workshop focuses on a discussion of important Civil Service laws and rules governing examinations, eligible lists, appointments, the Rule of Three, upgrades and the reclassifications/ reallocation process.
#CSE02 CIVIL SERVICE II
This workshop discusses the various transfer and reassignment mechanisms available under Civil Service Law. The instructor will discuss transfer and reassignment as a method of career mobility and how they can be used to enhance you job security and chances for promotion.
#CSE03 EXPOSING THE COST OF CONTRACTING OUT
This workshop will focus involving more PEF members in our efforts to expose wasteful contracting out by training them to identify and investigate contracting out activities in their agencies, identifying the associated costs and using that information in PEF's anti-privatization campaign. The training will also discuss PEF legislative and political action on contracting out.
LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAMS
#LTP01 LEADERSHIP 101
This workshop has been developed to educate, motivate and inspire new and experienced PEF leaders. It is an interactive workshop that draws upon the ability and experience of the workshop attendees. Almost everyone is a leader at some point in their life but to truly become an effective leader takes time and work. This workshop will put on the right path. Developed specifically for PEF's future leaders.
#LTP02 PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES
Better run union meetings don't just happen. They require managerial and communication skills. Learn the processes which can enhance your position as a delegate, council leader, or as a union member. Roberts' Rules are learned through a role play situation and a true-false quiz.
#LPT03 CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Conflict can be a healthy, positive and necessary life force. This workshop will give you new insights and strategies to resolve conflicts at your work site, in your union activities and your day-to-day living experiences. You will have a hands-on experience in conflict resolution as you participate in this role playing workshop.
#LPT04 DIVISION FINANCE FOR COUNCIL LEADERS
This workshop is designed for Division Council Leaders and reviews the responsibilities of the Division, Division Council and Division Treasurer, the proper completion of reports and a discussion of appropriate Division expenses.
#LPT05 DIVISION TREASURER TRAINING
This workshop is designed for Division Treasurers. The workshop will review the responsibilities of Division Treasurers, the proper completion of reports and a discussion of appropriate Division expenses.
#LPT06 TEAM BUILDING
Does your team often flounder on getting things done or working together? This workshop is designed to have you develop a team philosophy around which you will then be able to develop courses of action designed for success. The concept of power and conflict is explored as well so group functioning can improve. By clarifying your role, both individually and as a group member, the union can function better.
MOBILIZATION TRAINING PROGRAMS
Basic Mobilization Topics:
These topics will cover a basic introduction to organizing, educating and division activity, the three main components of mobilization. All of these topics can be done as individual modules or combined to create a more comprehensive introduction to mobilization.
#MT101 Mobilization 101
#MT102 Charting and Mapping your Workplace
#MT103 Orienting Your Mobilizers
#MT104 Recruiting Volunteers
Advanced Mobilization Topics:
These topics are for divisions who have completed the organizational phase of mobilization and are ready to further educate their members and be prepared for action. All of these topics can be done as individual modules or combined to in a longer format, tailored to your needs. Each workshop delivers a definitive and in-depth understanding of the concepts and tools to implement mobilization in the division.
#MT201 Updating Your Workplace Charting and Mapping
#MT202 Testing Your Mobilization Network
#MT203 Selecting Issues for Local Work-Place Campaigns
#MT204 Using Mobilization to Help Resolve L/M Issues
#MT205 Running Effective Local Union Meetings
#MT206 Communicating our Message: the Use of Flyers, Newsletters, E-Mail
#MT207 Developing Allies: Building Community Coalitions Solidarity Works: The Use of Social Events in Building the Union
#MT208 Creative Ways to Mobilize the Membership
HEALTH & SAFETY TRAINING PROGRAMS
#HS01 Emergency Preparedness/Emergency Action Plans
#HS02 Infectious Diseases (HIV, Hepatitis, TB, Smallpox)
#HS03 Needle stick
#HSQ4 Office Ergonomics
#HS05 Violence in the Workplace
#HS06 Indoor Environmental Air Quality
#HS07 Occupational Stress
#HS08 Workers' Compensation
#HS09 Bioterrorism Preparedness
#HS10 Right-to-Know/Chemical Awareness
#HS11 Back Injury Prevention Ergonomics
#HS12 Personal Protective Equipment/Respiratory Protection
#HS13 Confined Space
#HS14 Strengthening Your Health and Safety Committee