Workshop and Officer Training Descriptions

Below you will find workshops and officer trainings that are mandated by the CSEA Constitution. Mandatory trainings are noted for officers. All workshops and trainings are listed alphabetically.

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Advanced Grievance: Introduction to Contract Interpretation

This advanced workshop is designed for Local/Unit Officers and Certified Grievance Representatives who have completed the State or Local Government/Private Sector Grievance workshop. The workshop is designed to provide participants with the knowledge and basic skills necessary to understand and interpret contract language. 

Who should attend:

This advanced workshop is designed for Local/Unit Officers and Certified Grievance Representatives, who have completed the State or Local Government/Private Sector Grievance Workshop.

Participants will: 

• Gain a basic understanding of the role of the Arbitrator 
• Become familiar with the established meanings of certain commonly used 
• Contractual words and phrases 
• Familiarize yourself with eight basic standards of contract interpretation 

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Advanced Grievance: Power in Numbers

Participants will be able to: 

• Identify when an issue would be better addressed through a class action/group grievance. 
• Identify strategies for grievance investigation in order to build a strong case for the union. 

• Demonstrate effective grievance presentation skills to supervisors.
• Identify union-building strategies that enhance the union’s power in the grievance process. 
• Develop a strategic plan for winning grievances. 

Who should attend:

The advanced workshop is designed for CSEA Certified Grievance Representatives who have experience in handling grievances and other violations in the workplace. This workshop is open to Local Government/Private Sector members only. 

Requirements:  

Please bring your contract to this workshop. 

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Advanced Steward: Building an Activist Network

This interactive workshop is designed for officers and activists who have completed the basic Steward Workshop. 

Participants will refresh and sharpen their skills by practicing communication skills, understanding the importance of recruiting and encouraging member involvement, and review how to choose and organize around workplace issues to build the union. Participants must complete this workshop and be appointed by their Local/Unit President to be certified stewards in CSEA. 

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All About Our Union

This workshop is designed to give new members and activists knowledge and information about CSEA. 

Participants will be provided with an overview of: 

• CSEA’s history and structure 
• The benefits of membership 
• Member/Activist involvement opportunities 
• CSEA departments and other resources available to members 

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An Overview of the Family Medical Leave Act

This workshop is designed for Local/Unit Officers, Stewards, Grievance Representatives, and activists. Its purpose is to provide participants with basic knowledge and skills necessary to understand the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The workshop will focus on eligibility requirements, qualifying conditions, and certification requirements to enable CSEA activists to be better prepared to represent CSEA members who wish to use the FMLA. 

Participants will be able to: 

• Identify who is covered by the FMLA. 
• Identify the types of leave that are covered by the FMLA. 
• Understand the notice and certification requirements attached to the FMLA. 
• Recognize employer violations of the FMLA. 
• Understand the appeal process provided for by the FMLA. 

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Grievance Representation – MANDATORY FOR OFFICERS

(Formerly Local Government/Private Sector Grievance Representation)
 

This basic workshop teaches activists how to work with their contract, examine the grievance procedure and understand their role and responsibility as a Grievance Representative in protecting the rights of bargaining unit members in the workplace. Completion of this workshop certifies activists to process grievances, provided they are officially appointed by their Local or Unit President. 

Participants will be able to: 

• Define, investigate and write grievances. 
• Distinguish the difference between a contract grievance and a non-contract grievance. 
• Use the grievance procedure to process violations of the collective bargaining agreement. 
• Identify the actions to be taken to ensure that the Duty of Fair Representation is upheld. 
• Prepare and present a grievance at the first step. 

Who should attend:

This workshop is designed for Local/Unit officers, stewards, and newly appointed grievance representatives who have little or no experience in handling grievances. It is also a valuable refresher for grievance representatives who do not regularly process grievances. This workshop is required for certification to process grievances in CSEA. 

Requirements:  

Please bring your contract to this workshop.

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