2007 Madison Institutes
The School for Workers offers these institutes at the JF Friedrick Center and the Pyle and Lowell Centers located on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.
REGISTRATION FORM - register online on our secure site
- Financial Officer Training
- Spreadsheet Training for Union Officers & Staff - Beginning & Intermediate
- Worker's Compensation
- Time Study
- Job Evaluation
- Union Leadership
- Building Arguments for Bargaining Power
UPCOMING WINTER/SPRING Offerings (check back for more information)
- Financial Officer Training, February 11-12
- Union Leadership, March 31-April 2
- Political Action for Trade Unionists, April 22-23
- Bargaining in Tough Times, May 5-8
- Grievance Arbitration, May 12-15
- Working as a Union in Lean Manufacturing, June 10-11
Information
Conference Centers & Parking
Meals
Lodging Reservations
Fee & Payment Information
Cancellation Policy
Travel to & around Madison
Financial Officer Training
September 5-6 , 2007
This program is designed specifically for union financial officers--new treasurers, financial secretaries, trustees and other union officers. The class includes basic recordkeeping to help you comply with the requirements of the Landrum-Griffin Act and will also focus on what records you will have to keep to comply with the new LM-2 form, which includes itemization of certain expenses as well as estimates of time spent by officers and employees in five "functional activity" categories.
We will also cover auditing and financial planning, and we will spend half a day in a computer lab showing you how to set up your records in a popular commercial software called Quick Books Pro. You'll see how easy it is to set up charts of accounts, handle payroll and generate a number of useful reports.
You will receive copies of sample forms, spreadsheets and model financial standards code on a CD-ROM.
Questions about course content? Please contact:
John Lund at 608-262-9847 or john.lund@uwex.edu
Registration deadline: August 10
Registration will be at 8:00 a.m. Wednesday. The program concludes on Thursday at 4:00 p.m.
Fee: $300.00
Location: Pyle Center
Spreadsheet Training for Union Officers & Staff
Beginning Excel, September 11, 2007
This class is intended for users with basic computer skills but with little prior experience using Excel. By actually building (with detailed instruction and hands-on coaching from instructors) simple but powerful spreadsheets, students can more quickly learn the key formatting and formula-building aspects of Excel as they perform these functions hands-on.
Questions about course content? Please contact:
Michael Childers at 608-262-9839 or michael.childers@uwex.edu
Registration deadline: August 15
Registration will be at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday. The class ends at 4:30 p.m.
Fee: $220.00
Location: Pyle Center
Intermediate Excel, September 12, 2007
This class is intended for users with both basic computer skills and prior experience using Excel. Using complex formatting and formulas, participants actually build more sophisticated spreadsheets (with detailed instruction and hands-on coaching). In addition, students learn basic sorting and database aspects of Excel as they perform these functions. This class is perfect for the 'self taught' Excel user that wants to fill in the gaps in their knowledge and ask detailed questions about aspects they have struggled with.
Questions about course content? Please contact:
Michael Childers at 608-262-9839 or michael.childers@uwex.edu
Registration deadline: August 15
Registration will be at 8:00 a.m. Wednesday. The class ends at 4:30 p.m.
Fee: $220.00
Location: Pyle Center
Worker's Compensation
October 22-26, 2007
This is an annual 5-day Worker's Compensation Institute for union staff, local union officers and members. Instructors will include School for Workers staff, practicing attorneys, union representatives, health professionals and WC Division staff. The program provides an overview of Wisconsin law and the procedures for filing claims. Recent changes in the law will also be addressed. Special problem areas in compensation will be discussed, including:
- Back Injuries
- Disease Claims
- Hearing Loss
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Penalty Provisions
- Rehabilitation and Return to Work Programs
- Third Party Lawsuits
- Union Action Program
- Wisconsin Worker's Compensation Advisory Council
Throughout the training, emphasis will be given to how unions can more effectively assist members in the WC system. A labor member of the Advisory Council will discuss the role of the Council and how changes in the law occur.
This Institute is recommended for those who are:
- new to Worker's Compensation
- desiring a more in-depth understanding of the system; and those
- contemplating representing members in hearings
Registration Deadline: September 24
This 5-day program begins at 8:30 AM Monday with registration. It concludes at 12:00 noon on Friday.
Fee: $550 (includes 3 dinners, Mon, Tues, Wed) or $465 commuter rate
Location: J.F. Friedrick Center
Time Study
October 29-November 2, 2007
This 5-day institute provides participants a working knowledge of the various systems used to establish day-work and incentive production standards. Instruction covers the theories, assumptions and applications of stopwatch time study.
Participants gain direct experience in performance rating, conducting stopwatch studies and calculating standards. Other systems of work measurement, including standard data, predetermined motion-time systems, work sampling and computerized work measurement are also examined. Particular attention is given to the limitations and shortcomings of these systems. Wage incentive applications, group and line standard problems are analyzed.
The institute also covers strategies for handling standards grievances and the negotiation of contract language on work measurement and wage incentives. The goal of this program is to provide participants with not only a working knowledge of work measurement, but an understanding of how related problems can be successfully addressed in the collective bargaining process.
Topics Covered
- Performance rating
- Application allowance
- Practice time studies
- Production standards and incentive calculations
- Standard data
- Predetermined motion-time systems
- Work sampling
- Grievances and contract language
Registration deadline: October 1
Registration for all participants will be at 8:30 a.m. Monday. The program concludes at noon Friday.
Fee: $470.00
Location: Pyle Center
Job Evaluation
November 12-15, 2007
This is a comprehensive 3 1/2 day program on Job Evaluation, a method of classifying jobs and systematically establishing pay rates for jobs based on job content in both blue collar and clerical work places. It is intended for those who are new to the topic as well as those who desire a refresher course. The program begins with an overview of job evaluation principles and techniques and how they relate to other pay systems. The balance of the program goes into the details of the job evaluation process. Special emphasis will be given to quantitative job evaluation methods, such as factor-point systems. Participants will have hands on practice in the entire job evaluation process including job analysis (gathering facts about jobs), writing job descriptions and specifications (documenting jobs), using evaluation manuals (e.g. NMTA and related manuals) and dealing with the employer in job evaluation disputes/grievances. We will also discuss current employment practices such as high performance work systems and how they relate to the job evaluation process.
Registration deadline: October 15
This program begins at 8:00 a.m. Monday with registration. It concludes Thursday at 12 noon.
Location: JF Friedrick Center
Fee: $400.00
Union Leadership
December 3-5, 2007
What does it take to be a good union leader? This 3-day program emphasizes personal leadership development for union growth and strength.
This program explores facets of leadership and helps you discover your own talents and skills as a leader. We discuss effective leadership characteristics and styles and learn to set and achieve goals. We will help you identify your challenges and find ways to strengthen your leadership capacity. Also, learn:
- how to develop and promote a vision of the future that is revitalizing for your local
- getting results; ways to develop consensus
- how to conduct effective meetings
This program emphasizes the development of personal skills for building effective unions and can be paired with a spring program on developing organizational skills.
This class will be useful to new leaders and to veterans looking for new ideas.
Recommended for stewards, executive board members and officers, and anyone contemplating union office.
Registration deadline: November 5
This program begins at 8:30 a.m. Monday with registration. It concludes at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday.
Fee: $360.00
Location: Pyle Center
Building Arguments for Bargaining Power
December 10-12, 2007
Good preparation for negotiations are a critical part of success at the bargaining table. As a negotiating team member, how do you evaluate an employer's claim that it cannot afford your bargaining proposals? How do you value and prioritize the various economic proposals you are making at the table--such as proposals for wage increases, or health care and other benefit improvements? How do you develop arguments to support your economic proposals at the table or to respond effectively to employer arguments? How do use this type of information to mobilize your membership and support public relations efforts during contract negotiations?
This course answers these questions and is specifically designed to equip negotiating team members with the tools necessary to:
- Understand the value of their economic proposals through contract costing methods
- Evaluate the employer's financial information and corporate governance structures in order to assess the employer's ability to pay union wage and benefit demands
- Use economic data to develop arguments that justify the union's proposals
- Employ financial and economic information strategically in member mobilization efforts and public relations campaigns.
Registration deadline: November 12
This 3-day program begins at 8:00 a.m. Monday with registration. It concludes Wednesday at 3:00 p.m.
Fee: $400.00
Location: Pyle Center
Information
Questions about enrollment, registration, travel and facilities should be directed to Carol Graham.
Phone Number: (608) 262-4496
Fax Number: (608) 265-2391
Email Address: schoolforworkers@uwex.edu
Please be sure to read the information below carefully.
Conference Centers & Parking
Pyle Center
This is a campus conference center located at 702 Langdon Street in downtown Madison. Many of our classes and conferences are held at the Center. Reserved room blocks for our participants have been arranged at the Lowell Center or the J.F. Friedrick Center. Parking for commuters is nearby in a city ramp on Lake Street.
Lowell Center
The Lowell Center is at 610 Langdon Street in downtown Madison. It offers lodging for our guests. If you reserve a room at the Lowell Center, parking and breakfast are included. For dinner, you can explore the many restaurants on nearby State St.
J F Friedrick Center
This is an adult education facility on the west end of the UW campus where sleeping, classroom and eating facilities are all in the same building. If you reserve a room at this center, parking and breakfast are included. If you are commuting to a program at this center, parking permits are $10.00 per day, payable at the front desk on arrival.
Lodging Reservations
Participants are responsible for arranging their own lodging. A block of guest rooms has been reserved at the center hosting the program:
Room Blocks
The following classes will be held at the Pyle Center. A block of rooms has been reserved at the Lowell Center, one block away. Contact Lowell to make your reservation.
Financial Officer Training
Time Study
Union Leadership
Building Arguments for Bargaining Power.
The following classes will be held at the JF Friedrick Center. A block of guest rooms is reserved there as well. Contact Friedrick to make your reservation.
Worker's Compensation
Job Evaluation
The following classes will be at the Pyle Center. A room block has been reserved at the JF Friedrick Center. The Center will provide transportation to and from your class or you can walk along the campus lake path to Pyle. Contact Friedrick to make your reservation.
Spreadsheet Training for Union Officers & Staff - Beginning
Spreadsheet Training for Union Officers & Staff - Intermediate
Rates at both the Lowell Center and the JF Friedrick Center are $81/single and $91/double. Lowell is a nonsmoking facility. JF Friedrick has a limited number of smoking rooms. Call early if you want a smoking room.
The lodging room block will be released one month before the class start date.
CALL NO LATER THAN 1 MONTH BEFORE the class date to ensure a room.
Toll free 866-301-1753 (for BOTH centers)
Direct to JF Friedrick: 608-231-1341
Direct to Lowell: 608-256-2621
Please DO NOT INCLUDE lodging fees in your payments to the School for Workers.
For alternative lodging go to http://www.cityofmadison.com/recTourism.html#LODGING
Meals
Fees include lunches and breaks unless otherwise noted. If you reserve lodging at the Lowell Center or the JF Friedrick Center breakfast is included in your room rate.
In addition to the above, the Worker's Compensation residential fee includes dinners on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
Fee and Payment Information
School for Workers fees include tuition, instructional materials, lunches and breaks. (The Worker's Compensation residential fee includes some dinners.) Participants are responsible for arranging their own lodging. For information go to Lodging Reservations
To assure participation in the course, registration forms should be received by the deadline.
Make checks payable to UW-Extension. Please DO NOT INCLUDE lodging fees in your payments to the School for Workers. Mail to: School for Workers Registration, 610 Langdon St, Rm 422, Madison, WI 53703.
Participants will receive confirmation information approximately two weeks prior to the course.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancellation notification must be 14 days or more prior to the program start date. If notification is less than 14 days, the cancellation fee will be: $100.00. The School for Workers reserves the right to cancel programs when enrollment criteria are not met or when conditions beyond our control intervene. If the School for Workers cancels a class, class fees are refunded in full, but additional costs incurred are the responsibility of the registrants.