Labor Relations Fundamentals for Community College Districts

 If there is a conflict between general language and specific language, the specific language generally prevails.  If there is a conflict between two clauses, the clause that is more significant prevails.

2. A PPLYING THE L ABOR A GREEMENT Supervisors administer the CBA while managing employees on a day-to-day basis. The relationship between employees and first-line supervisors is critical to success in this endeavor. A poor relationship between supervisors and employees can lead to inefficiency, bad labor relations, grievances, difficult labor negotiations and other problems. The actions of first-line supervisors - whether acting pursuant to an agreement or exercising a management right - are the actions of the district. Supervisory decisions will impact the district’s relationship with its unions and employees. Management should brief supervisors about the labor agreement and ensure supervisor compliance with the terms. The following lists of things to do and avoid should help supervisors maintain order and respect in the workplace and preserve management’s right to seek an efficient workplace.

Do’s

 Keep open lines of communication with subordinates and develop professional and positive relationships with them. Communicate in advance with union representatives and stewards regarding workplace changes and significant events.  Know the labor agreement and ask questions of higher-level management if you do not understand a provision.  Be aware of which district decisions are negotiable. Decisions are negotiable if they affect wages, hours, and other terms or conditions of employment, including those enumerated under EERA.120 There is a large body of law defining these areas, so ask for help if you need it.  Document your actions and share that documentation with the next level of management so that they are aware of what you are doing.  Make important decisions in a firm but polite manner, even if you must make an unpopular choice.  Implement new rules and new CBA provisions in a fair, impartial manner even if you disagree with them.  Be open-minded and avoid taking rigid positions on issues in the workplace. Sometimes it might be necessary to change.  Solicit employee input on important decisions.

Labor Relations Fundamentals for Community College Districts © 2019 (c) Liebert Cassidy Whitmore 29