Webinar Details
Title: “From Preparation to Power: Leading Non-Union Collective Negotiations Under the NLRA”
Host Organization: Pay Us Right (www.payusright.com)
Duration: 90 minutes (75-minute presentation + 15-minute Q&A)
Target Audience: Emerging leaders of non-union concerted activities preparing to negotiate with employers
Format: Interactive Zoom webinar with presentation slides, polls, breakout rooms, and downloadable resources
Detailed Session Outline
1. Welcome and Introduction (5 minutes)
- Introduction to Pay Us Right and webinar hosts
- Overview of agenda and learning objectives
- Quick poll: Industry sectors and negotiation priorities
- Ground rules for participation
2. Understanding Your Legal Rights (15 minutes)
- Section 7 of the NLRA is explained in plain language
- Protected concerted activity: What qualifies and what doesn’t
- Legal distinction between informal collective bargaining and union representation
- Anti-retaliation protections under federal law
- Employer obligations during non-union collective discussions
- Interactive Element: “Know Your Rights” quiz with immediate feedback
3. Pre-Negotiation Research and Preparation (20 minutes)
- Using data to strengthen your position
- Pay Us Right Salary Analyzer Tool demonstration
- Industry standards research methods
- Regional cost of living considerations
- Internal preparation steps
- Surveying coworkers effectively
- Documenting workplace issues with specificity
- Building consensus around priorities
- Forming an effective negotiation committee
- Recommended roles and responsibilities
- Communication protocols within your group
- Interactive Element: Breakout rooms to practice using the Salary Analyzer Tool
4. Crafting Your Collective Demands (15 minutes)
- Anatomy of an effective demand
- Specificity and measurability
- Reasonable timeframes for implementation
- Tiered priorities (must-haves vs. nice-to-haves)
- Framing demands as mutual benefits
- Connecting to company values and goals
- Emphasizing productivity and retention benefits
- Supporting evidence and documentation
- Data presentation best practices
- Personal testimonials and their strategic use
- Preparing fallback positions
- Identifying acceptable compromises
- Recognizing when to hold firm
- Interactive Element: Guided worksheet activity for drafting demands
5. Strategic Communication Techniques (15 minutes)
- Initiating the negotiation process
- Template for formal meeting requests
- Appropriate timing and channels
- Effective presentation strategies
- Opening statements that set the right tone
- Clear articulation of collective concerns
- Visual aids and handouts
- Active listening and response techniques
- Reading employer signals
- Asking clarifying questions
- Addressing objections constructively
- Interactive Element: Role-play demonstration of effective communication approaches
6. Anticipating Employer Responses (10 minutes)
- Common employer tactics
- Delay and distraction strategies
- Divide-and-conquer attempts
- “We can’t afford it,” responses
- Recognizing bad-faith negotiation
- Warning signs and red flags
- Documentation best practices
- Escalation options when negotiations stall
- Internal pressure tactics
- External support resources
- When to consider formal unionization
- Interactive Element: Scenario-based poll on employer responses
7. Next Steps and Resources (10 minutes)
- Post-negotiation documentation
- Confirming agreements in writing
- Tracking implementation timelines
- Maintaining group solidarity
- Regular check-ins and updates
- Celebrating small wins
- Additional Pay Us Right resources
- Digital community access
- Follow-up webinars and coaching
- Legal support referrals
- Interactive Element: Interactive roadmap tool demonstration
8. Q&A Session (15 minutes)
- Open forum for specific questions
- Industry-specific concerns
- Legal clarifications
- Next steps guidance
Webinar Materials and Resources
Pre-Webinar Materials:
- Participant workbook (PDF)
- Self-assessment questionnaire
- Recommended readings on non-union collective bargaining
During Webinar:
- Interactive presentation slides
- Digital worksheets for real-time activities
- Chat-based resource sharing
Post-Webinar Resources:
- Negotiation preparation checklist
- Template for a formal negotiation request letter
- Sample negotiation tracking document
- Legal rights reference guide
- Access to Pay Us Right digital community
Technical Requirements
Platform Features:
- Registration system with automated reminders
- Chat function for questions
- Polling capability
- Breakout room functionality
- Recording with post-event access
Accessibility Considerations:
- Live closed captioning
- Screen reader-compatible materials
- Advance access to presentation slides
- Recording with transcription