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SUMMARY:Power and Participation in Negotiations
DESCRIPTION:About this Workshop\nHow unions negotiate is a strategic choice. Union members seldom directly participate in the process of collective negotiations over issues that are crucial\, urgent\, and relevant to their own lives. This workshop will discuss how negotiations can be different—very different—from what has become the norm\, and how the practice of negotiations can build the power needed to win tough contract fights. \nWe will draw from Rules to Win By: Power and Participation in Negotiations by Jane McAlevey and Abby Lawlor to stimulate a robust conversation about collective bargaining: how it is practiced\, how it can be improved\, and how the practice and process of negotiations relate to power\, union governance\, and democracy in the workplace and beyond. At a time when workers’ rights are under increasing threat from the federal government and large corporations\, and when workers are fighting to win first contracts at Starbucks\, Amazon\, and elsewhere\, Power and Participation in Negotiations will teach urgently-needed skills to expand union members’ collective negotiations practices to build unity\, commitment\, and power\, and strengthen union democracy. \nThis two-session workshop will focus on the “why” and “how” of moving towards high-power\, high-participation negotiations. It is designed for unions at all stages of contract negotiations\, including workers organizing for first contracts and workers organizing for new successor agreements–whether for a second\, or even a fortieth\, contract. Through examining the book’s case studies\, participants will learn how workers can use the collective bargaining process to achieve transformative contracts through deep organizing and member-driven strategy. The workshop will show how an organized membership and high-power\, high-participation negotiations are key to an effective system of collective negotiating. By the end of the workshop\, each group will produce a plan to open their collective negotiations practice using the skills they have learned. \nWho\, What\, When\, Where: The Essential Details\n\nWho: You and a group of at least nine other colleagues* you recruit and coordinate before and during the sessions.\nWhat: The workshop will move through chapters of Rules to Win By: Power and Participation in Union Negotiations\, discussing core concepts and how each union can implement them. Participants will hear from union members featured in the book\, have time with members of their group to make plans to move to high-power\, high-participation negotiations\, and have the opportunity to meet and learn from unionists from around the U.S.\nWhen: Two Saturday sessions on June 6 and 13\, 2026\, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pacific / 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern.\nWhere: On Zoom\nCourse Fee: $200 for a group of 10 or more people. Groups are responsible for ensuring that each participant obtains a copy of Rules to Win By.\nRegistration Deadline: Friday\, May 8\, 2026. Once accepted\, each group’s coordinator will receive via email the course manual\, logistical information for the program\, and a discount code for participants to purchase Rules to Win By.\n\n*Setting Up Your Team\nOrganizing is a team endeavor\, not a solo effort. For this reason\, we require organizations to create a team of at least 10 people to register for this workshop. In addition\, each team will need to designate at least one group coordinator to lead exercises in their group. Organizations may send as many participants as they would like\, provided there is at least one group coordinator per 10 participants. Group coordinators will attend a one-hour orientation session prior to the workshop to learn their role\, review the sessions\, and learn best practices for using Zoom\, leading discussions\, and facilitating the breakout sessions. Anyone is eligible to serve as a group coordinator if they are committed\, well organized\, and have access to a pro-level Zoom account (A pro-level Zoom account\, or other paid video conferencing account\, will enable group coordinators to host meetings for longer than the 40-minute limit of a basic Zoom account). Additional information for group coordinators\, including the dates for the orientation\, will be provided upon acceptance into the workshop. \nFor more information\, contact Elizabeth Avila at eavilaa@berkeley.edu with “PPN 2026” in the subject line.
URL:https://irle.berkeley.edu/event/power-and-participation-in-negotiations/
LOCATION:Zoom
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