1

P1 / PRESIDENT’S REPORT

P3 / LR COMICS

P3 / BOARD NOMINATIONS

P4 / LEGAL CORNER

Connections Vol. 12.15 DECEMBER 2015 / JANUARY 2016

NPELRA

P5 / JOB LISTINGS

P5 / MEMBERSHIP RALLY

P5 / PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

P6 / WORD FROM WASHINGTON

P7 / ATC

P8 / NPELRA FOUNDATION

P8 / SNAIL CORNER

P9 / OF NOTE

P9 / NPELRA AWARDS

P10 / MENTOR PROGRAM

P11 / PELRA CORNER

P13 / RESOURCES

>> Continued on page 2

HELLO HR COLLEAGUES:I hope everyone had a wonderful time with their family and friends over the Thanksgiving break. There are many things to be thankful for and I am grateful and blessed I was able to share this Thanksgiving with those closest to me.

As we head into the holiday season, it is a time where we can look back and reflect on where we have been and what we have accomplished. As I look back at 2015, I can say that this has been the most gratifying year both personally and professionally. I have been able to meet some of the most amazing people who do fantastic work through my travels to the various state PELRA conferences. And while our field is constantly changing, it is refreshing to know that there are others out there across the country willing and able to assist when needed. We are all part of the NPELRA family and being

Warm wishes

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FROM PRESIDENTSEAN ROBINSONpart of that family, I am so very appreciative.

Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the Maryland conference but want to thank NPELRA Vice President Michael Crotty for assisting me and attending in my place. Here is his report:

“I was very happy to visit Maryland for its state conference in Baltimore on November 5, 2015. Thanks to MDPELRA President Kim Frock and her Board for their gracious hospitality during a jam-packed day at the ballpark at Camden Yards. The baseball

season may have been over, but the venue is a stunning place to have a conference. The group was welcomed by Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake who reviewed some of the labor initiatives going on in that great city. Rhonda Weaver, Deputy Director and Chief Labor Negotiator for Prince George’s County Office of Human Resources Management, took us through the ins and outs of managing employee absences, reminding us just how complicated that can be. Ron Taylor of Venable LLC then presented a strong session on the recent changes to the FLSA, and reminded us about how time and a half was initially intended as an employer penalty aimed at increasing employment but has more recently been seen as a less costly alternative to the benefits increases that come with full-time employment. After a perfect ballpark lunch including hotdogs, burgers, and even Cracker Jack, we were treated to keynote speaker Secretary David Brinkley of the Maryland Department of Budget and Management. Secretary Brinkley provided his inspirational insight on leadership and the challenges facing the state. The final sessions dealt with medical marijuana, presented by Bob Ames and Lillian Reynolds of Venable LLC, and the ACA Excise Tax, presented by Kathryn Bakich, Senior Vice President and National Health Compliance Practice Leader with the Segal Group. Both of these were strong sessions, with very practical information to take back to the workplace. The day went quickly and it was great to spend time with the very good people of Maryland!”

If you have not checked your mail lately, the NPELRA 45th Annual Training Conference in Memphis, TN brochure is out. Yvonne Gillengerten did an amazing job putting the brochure together. I encourage you to look at the three-day conference, from April 17-21, 2016, and sign up before the Early Bird Rate deadline ends on January 15, 2016. Conference Chair Michele Green and her Committee have put together a conference you do not want to miss.

In November, we held our last Academy of 2015 in Glastonbury, Connecticut. Academy III: The Negotiation Process, was presented by Ken Weinstock, Douglas Duckett, Caroline Beitman,and Mike Kolb which was followed by a panel discussion on the Perspectives of the Negotiations process with Caroline Beitman, Lisa Banatoski, and Michael Harrington. Be sure to check the Academy schedule for all upcoming events in 2016.

With the winter holidays and New Year fast approaching, my state travels are taking a little break. In January, I will be attending the Wisconsin PELRA conference and something tells me I am going to need warmer clothes.

It is truly an honor and privilege to serve as your President this year. On behalf of the NPELRA Board and staff, I want to wish each and every one of you Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year.

Sean Robinson NPELRA President

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LRCOMICS

Blaise Lamphier Artist

Put that turkey down! That is the one the President pardoned!

Last month’s cartoon

BOARD NOMINATIONSNOW BEING ACCEPTEDIf you or another colleague has the leadership skills and experience to participate in the future direction of our organization, now is the opportunity to express that interest and be considered. The initial term of office for a Board Member is three years. Nomination is open to all Active, Charter, and Affiliate members. While only Active and Charter members can serve as Officers, Affiliate members may hold office as a Director on the Board. It has been the goal of the organization to have a broad and diverse representation of our membership.

As the NPELRA Board is a working Board, you must be able to make a commitment of time, talent, and provide leadership from a national perspective. You must be able to travel to quarterly Board meetings, be available for teleconferences, and participate in frequent email communications. Board members generally chair one of the NPELRA committees as assigned by the President. Find the application -- > HERE

Applications are due by Friday, February 26, 2016. Please submit applications to info@npelra.org.

Drawn and written by NPELRA Member and current

ORPELRA President, Blaise Lamphier. Be sure to read all past

comics HERE.

They are too good to be missed!

4 >>Table of Contents

CAREERCENTER JOB POSTERS and SEEKERS:

Don’t miss the opportunity to reach over 10,000 public sector labor relations / human resources professionals! Visit NPELRA’s Career Center for the latest labor relations / human resources positions.

NPELRA’s Career Center is the only online job board specific to public sector professionals.

>>CLICK FOR MORE INFO

• Director of Human Resources - CT• Deputy Director of Human Resources - CO• Senior Human Resources Analyst - WI• Human Resources & Risk Management Administrator

- WA• Senior Human Resources Analyst - CA

• Director of Human Resources - IL• Human Resources Director - MI• HR Administrator - NM• Director of Finance/Operations - IA• Director of Human Resources - IL

The following excerpt is reproduced from a chapter of NPELRA’s forthcoming new book (tentatively entitled): Much Smarter Bargaining: A Guide to Contract Language for Today’s Public Negotiator. This excerpt is part of the chapter on “Preparation for Collective Bargaining.” This new book should be available for purchase in mid-2016.

Creation of Bargaining ProposalsOne of the first steps for the bargaining team to accomplish is to create its affirmative bargaining proposals. If this is a new contract situation, the team may want to create an entire collective bargaining agreement, or “shell agreement,” containing at least all salient non-economic issues. Normally, such a shell agreement will be created by taking the most management-friendly provisions from existing contracts negotiated by the involved labor union, or from other public jurisdictions having contracts with this classification of public employee. Moreover, the most management-friendly of those provisions can, of course, be further modified to grant even greater managerial flexibility in the shell agreement. Once this document is created by the bargaining team, its provisions should be reviewed and signed off by the applicable departmenthead(s) – so that the jurisdiction is not proposing operational provisions that the jurisdiction’s operations cannot “live with.”

Click HERE for full article

DEVELOPMENT OF BARGAINING TACTICS, STRATEGIES, AND TOOLS

Ted Clark’s LEGAL CORNER

This excerpt is from a this chapter authored by James Baird, and edited by Benjamin Gehrt and R. Theodore Clark, Jr., of the law firm Clark Baird Smith LLP.

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S Kim is the HR Administrator for Carroll County in Westminster, MD. She attended the MdPELRA Annual Conference and won complimentary registration to the NPELRA 2016 Annual Training Conference. See you in Memphis, Kim!

E L M E R F A L C O N E R

Elmer, from the University of Maryland, also attended the MdPELRA annual event. He is the winner of a complimentary NPELRA webinar recording. Congrats to Elmer!

K I M F R O C K

O U R N E W E S T C L R P ® P R O F E S S I O N A L S

Charlene MacMillan-Davis - City of Seattle, Seattle, WA

Susan Williams - City of Port St. Luce, Port St. Luce, FL

Congratulations to all who have achieved this highest NPELRA professional designation! We are proud and honored to have you all as a part of this elite group!

2016 MEMBERSHIPRALLY!The NPELRA Membership Committee has issued a challenge to all NPELRA Affiliated states: We want to know what state can rally the most members... and we are waiting at the January finish line with three ATC Registrations as awards!

HOW IT WORKS:

It’s a state scramble! Every person that renews their membership and recruits new members can help their state win the competition! Winners will be selected based off of renewals and/or new members in each state.

HOW TO WIN:

1. Renew your membership for 20162. Ask your colleagues to join NPELRA3. Wait for the results to be announced in February

Good luck to you all! Complete details -- > HERE

Charlene MacMillan-Davis, CLRP®

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On November 20, the administration released its semi-annual Unified Regulatory Agenda. The Regulatory Agenda is released twice a year by the administration and outlines the executive branch’s regulatory goals for the next year, listing target release dates for proposed regulations or final rules. The agenda includes every agency and department within the executive branch as well as every initiative being pursued by those offices. It is important to mention that the agenda is an aspirational document, and while agencies do not generally issue regulations prior to the target date, they often release them later than anticipated.

Regulatory Agenda Released for Obama Administration’s Final Year

From NPELRA’s Legislative Office in Washington, DC,

Josh Ulman brings us the latest from the Capitol

Word fromWASHINGTON

EEOC Final Rules on Wellness Plans Expected in February On November 20, the administration released its semi-annual Unified Regulatory Agenda, in which it lists target release dates for all regulatory initiatives being pursued by the various agencies and departments under the executive branch. In the agenda, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced its new anticipated release date for its regulations implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) with regards to wellness programs used as part of healthcare packages offered to employees. Both regulations are expected in February of next year.

Click HERE for full article

DOL’s Overtime Final Rule Slated for July ReleaseIn the administration’s semi-annual Unified Regulatory Agenda, the Wage & Hour Division (WHD) of the Department of Labor (DOL) announced July 2016 as its target release date for its overtime final rule. Earlier this year, WHD has proposed revisions to the executive, administrative, and professional exemptions from overtime pay requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Click HERE for full article

On December 11, current funding for the federal government ends, and Congress is working on an omnibus spending package to keep the government open. Some members of Congress are considering attaching several labor related policy riders to the bill to strip funding for specific regulations being implemented or pursued by the administration.

Click HERE for full article

A Policy Riders in Omnibus Spending Bill

ARBITRATORBIOS Going into arbitration soon? Do you need an experienced professional to arbitrate your case?

NPELRA can assist by providing critical information about prospective arbitrators.

>>CLICK FOR MORE INFO

• Educational Background

• Panel Memberships

• Employment History

• Publications• Arbitrated

Industries

• Arbitrated Issues

• Fees for Hearing and Expenses

• Statistical Breakdown on Arbitrator’s Decisions

7

A MESSAGE FROM THE CONFERENCE PLANNING COMMITTEE CHAIR by Michele Green, HR Manager, Employee/Labor Relations, Sarasota County, FL

It is hard to believe that 2015 will soon be coming to a close. It just seems like yesterday we were in Savannah on the riverboat cruise - listening to fun music, eating great food and meeting new friends!

As we look toward the holiday season, give yourself a present that will keep on giving! Start thinking about Memphis BBQ, blues music, Graceland and more! Make your year-end resolution to register for NPELRA’s upcoming 45th Annual Training Conference April 17-21, 2016 in Memphis, TN. You don’t want to miss out on keynote speaker Anthony Huey’s presentation on Communicating in a Crisis.

Somewhere within every organization, a crisis is waiting to happen - maybe tomorrow, maybe five years from now. You can’t be sure what the crisis will be or when it will strike. But you can be sure a crisis will put your organization’s hard earned image and reputation up for grabs. This session will provide information on how to deal with the media – and 11 other audiences during a crisis. The media in particular play an important role during any crisis and attendees will learn what the media needs and how the media can help you get information to the public quickly. You will also learn how to respond to questions briefly and directly with honesty and candor and how to control the flow of information. This is needed preparation for any crisis when time is critical and working with the media is a priority.

Anthony Huey is a highly rated speaker who offers session attendees pragmatic communication tools, tips, and techniques they can use immediately. Mr. Huey’s 20 year career includes tenure as a news reporter, magazine senior editor, crisis management specialist, media relations consultant and executive speech coach. He owns Reputation Management Associates and has presented more than 1,500 workshops, seminars, and speeches. Mr. Huey will also be presenting a second session Monday morning on Negotiation Skills.

So join NPELRA in “Rockin’ and Rollin’ Away the Labor Relations Blues”!

ROCKIN’ AND ROLLIN’ AWAYTHE LABOR RELATIONS BLUES!

ANNUAL TRAINING CONFERENCE

REGISTER TODAY - DON’T MISS OUT ON EARLY BIRD RATES!

Did you receive your

brochure in the mail?Show us on Facebook!

Find “Visitor Posts” HERE

Opening Keynote Speaker: Anthony Huey Keynote Presentation: Communicating in a Crisis

8 >>Table of Contents

NPELRAFOUNDATIONCONGRATULATIONS TO THIS YEAR’SSCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

SNAILCORNER

SNAIL?? Social Networking And Interpersonal Leadership

How do I post on NPELRA’s Facebook page?To create a post:

1. Type your post into the box at the top of the Page’s Timeline2. You can tag friends or add a location. You may also add a photo or video.3. Click Post.

Angela R. Hewlett

Attending Webster University at Naval Support Activity, Millington, TN

Jennifer Ramos

Attending California State University, Northridge, CA

Klo Abeita

Attending University of New Mexico, School of Public Administration

Sean Barham

Attending New Mexico State University

Nicole Herrick

Attending California State University, Long Beach, CA

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NPELRAAWARDSAWARD OF EXCELLENCE:Is awarded to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to management in the field of public sector labor relations.

The Award of Excellence represents NPELRA’s highest acknowledgement of the recipient’s dedication and achievement in the development of positive labor-management relations.

It signifies professional efforts, which have demonstrated creative and innovative leadership over an extended period of time.

PACESETTER AWARD:Is awarded to individuals, groups, or organizations who have made contributions to or whose accomplishments / innovations in the last two years have been significant to the labor and/or employee relations field.

If you have questions please feel free to contact Lisa Powell(lisa.powell@linncounty.org), Awards Committee Chair, for assistance with any nomination questions you may have.

All Award Nomination

Packets available HERE

I read with interest recently the comments from a labor arbitrator who also teaches labor and employment law about his class projects. I found the topics his class is studying to be particularly noteworthy as they seem to be generally reflective of the subjects with which we are grappling as practitioners. Decide if you agree.

Social MediaThree D LLC, 361 NLRB No. 31 (2014). This is a case involving a waitress at a sports bar who was fired after she posted a Facebook rant that called her a boss an “asshole.” The bar’s cook liked the post. He was fired too. The NLRB ruled that the employer’s communication policy was too broad and ordered the bar to rehire the workers. The case is on appeal to the Second Circuit.

Genetic information Non-Discrimination ActLowes v. Atlas Logistics. In Lowes, an unidentified employee regularly defecated in the employer’s food warehouse. The company ordered cheek swabs of everyone who worked that shift. Cheek samples were matched against the deposited material. The genetic test was specifically designed to avoid detecting an employee’s medical conditions (sickle cell anemia) or a genetic predisposition to disease (breast cancer). It simply measured unique intervals between certain genes. The employer argued that no “genetic information” was collected — only spaces on a continuum. The court ruled in favor of employees. The court noted that the scope of “genetic information” under GINA covers anything that is genetic in nature.

Criminal Background HistoryNAACP New York State Conference Metropolitan Council of Branches v. Philips Electronics North America Corp. This complaint deals with employers and job boards that disseminate job openings which ban applicants who have felony convictions. Many employers have historically used this application filter. However, a growing number of cities and states are enacting laws that prohibit this type of hiring ban. As state and federal prisons release large numbers of nonviolent felons early due to budget crises, this issue of use of criminal background history in hiring will arise more frequently.

General Counsel OF NOTE

Jill Leka, NPELRA’s General Counsel and Partner with Clark Baird Smith, LLP

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By Jim Lowery, Mentor Program ChairMentoring opportunities arise when least expected. Many HR Directors see the need for mentoring in their daily routine. An application comes in that looks promising, but perhaps a vacancy does not exist at the current time. Should the resume be tossed? After all, there is not an announcement out or a vacancy expected. Perhaps the applicant appears to be under or overqualified for expected job recruitments in the foreseeable future. Many times, all the positions filled and then suddenly an opportunity is presented to a current employee. Perhaps their children have graduated from school, health issues arise, a spouse gets transferred, etc. Sometimes employees would not ever know what to expect as a potential reason that they would leave a job they liked, let alone think there would be a reason to consider changes.

So the HR Director, and perhaps others, are constantly on edge that an interim or replacement might be needed in any position. Perhaps a new connection is made via an NPELRA Facebook or LinkedIn comment. One person connects to another person and the chain goes on. Perhaps a person is transitioning out of the military seeking guidance on how to write a resume in civilian terms that makes them more marketable in the current jobs for a certain area. Many times, the military veteran has a lot of training, education, and skills that translates into several different areas and the only trick is figuring out where the best fit can be, not if there is an opening. Regardless of the rank or the length of service, many military people do go into the open market for jobs in competition with individuals that have been unemployed and looking for work for a very long time.

How does one compare resume details and make suggestions to a person never interviewed? Perhaps there is a “cold call” of a person taking the initiative to search out employers when there are no posted jobs or in addition to the many electronic application submissions. Many governmental entities use an electronic format to announce jobs, track applicants, find certain degrees, experiences, or other related job criteria. Smaller organizations may still recruit with paper and more local distributions of jobs, yet a local workforce may not have produced many applicants during the last recruitment. Perhaps the specialty skills are hard to obtain unless the person has been working within the agency. All of the options lead HR Directors to think beyond the convenient “give me a list” comment and hope that some screening process has actually produced a qualified applicant. The credentialing of an applicant is more difficult if “magic words” are the sole source of the list rather than a critical eye; perhaps sometimes the skeptical eye is needed as well. Still, the right words, correct phrasing, good appearance of a resume, and demonstrated interest tell a lot about an applicant or a new contact. So whether the next contact comes from a purified list, a contact from a contact, lives in the next county, from Arizona or Oregon, NPELRA connections can Mentor from the comfort of their computer and step out of their office and provide a suggestion to a person with potential.

The Holiday Season may be a giving season, or a New Year for a new start, so think MENTOR and what has NPELRA given to you that can be shared with others as they prepare for their new careers.

Find out more about the Mentor Program -- > HERE

MENTORPROGRAMTHE NEW YEAR MENTOR

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PELRACORNERARIZONA www.azpelra.org

CALIFORNIA www.pelrac.orgWelcome new PELRAC/NPELRA members:

Dietra Fernandes - LA Dept of Water and PowerMary Jane Robb - Contra Cost County Sheriff’s OfficeLiane Kwan - City of Garden Grove

CONNECTICUT www.connpelra.org

DELAWARE www.delpelra.org

ILLINOIS www.ipelra.orgWelcome new IPELRA/NPELRA members:

Adam Durkin - Storino Ramello & DurkinMegan Fulara - City of WinnetkaKaren Gray - Village of Steamwood IPELRA is looking ahead to 2016! But first, we have to finish up 2015...with our last training session of the year: A Conversation With the Unions. Moderated by IPELRA General Counsel Robert J. Smith, Jr., this program will feature representatives of several Illinois unions (International Association of Firefighters; AFSCME Council 31; the International Union of Operating Engineers; the Illinois FOP Labor Council; and Teamsters Local 700 – offering their individual perspectives on public sector labor relations.This will be a great opportunity for the 100+ registered attendees to hear the union perspective on police, fire and civilian employee labor issues and trends. We have just opened registration for two sessions of IPELRA’s customized supervisory training program, Essential Skills for Supervisory Success, being held this year in Arlington Heights and Oak Brook. Followed closely by IPELRA’s Employment Law Seminar on March 4, 2016 – we’ve moved to a larger venue this year (Drury Lane Theater and Conference Center in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois) and are hoping to break 500 registrants. Registration for the ELS will be opening in the middle of December. Information on all of IPELRA’s 2016 training opportunities is available on ipelra.org. Finally, the IPELRA Board extends a hearty welcome to its newest Board members: John Duguay from Wheaton, Illinois and Cristina White from Itasca, Illinois... and also says goodbye and thank you to departing Board members Janelle Crowley and Blaine Wing.

IOWA www.iapelra.orgWelcome new IaPELRA/NPELRA members:

Courtney Bush - City of WaukeeRochelle Williams - City of Grimes

MARYLAND www.mdpelra.orgWelcome new MDPELRA/NPELRA members:

Jamie Cannon - Frederick County Public SchoolsRobyn Lawler - Maryland Port AdministrationNancy Lawlor - Maryland Port AdministrationAri Ross - Maryland Port Administration

MINNESOTA www.mnpelra.orgWelcome new MNPELRA/NPELRA members:

Jessica Mount - Consultant

MISSOURI www.mopelra.orgWelcome new MOPELRA/NPELRA members:

Laura Cravens - Boone County Family ResourcesPeggy deMeurers - MO Consolidated Health Care PlanJulie Elsberry - Boone County Family ResourcesWendi Goodmanson - Developmental ConnectionsJamie McElwain - Boone County Family Resources

NEVADA www.nvpelra.orgWelcome new NVPELRA/NPELRA members:

Nancy Paulson - Carson City Finance

NEW JERSEY www.njpelra.org

NEW YORK www.nyspelra.orgWelcome new NYSPELRA/NPELRA members:

William Badura - Kornfeld Rew Newman & SimeoneCarol Geiger-Wank - NY Power AuthorityMichael Mottola - Fashion Institute of Technology

NORTH CAROLINA www.ncpelra.org

OHIO www.ohpelra.orgWelcome new OHPELRA/NPELRA members:

Matthew Sabo - Concord Township Fire Dept.

OHPELRA will host the 32nd Annual Training Conference on February 7-9, 2016. The conference will be held at the Roberts Centre, 123 Gano Road, Wilmington, OH, www.robertscentre.com. In a musical prelude to NPELRA’s Annual Training Conference in Memphis, our theme will be “Keeping You in the Groove.” We will have a lot of fun playing off of our musical theme. Our conference will kick off on Sunday with the Pre-Conference Workshop, “Terminus Eldorado – Complying with the ADA and Preparing for the ‘Cadillac’ Tax to Hit.” This workshop will feature Jeffrey A. Mullins, Esq, from our sponsor firm Taft Stettinius & Hollister. We are also fortunate to have NPELRA hosting the Labor Relations Academy I: The Foundation of Labor Relations on Sunday in conjunction with our conference from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Breakfast /Check-in begins at 7:30 am). Ohio plans on hosting all three (3) Labor Relations Academies in 2016. So be sure to register for your first step in obtaining your CLRP® at www.npelra.org. We hope your plans will also include OHPELRA’s Opening Reception and Super Bowl Party, kicking off at 6:00 p.m. On Monday, we will open our conference with NPELRA sponsor, Ron Holifield, from Strategic Government Resources. His

presentation is titled, “Making A Difference Even When No One Notices.” Over our three day conference, we will feature some of OHPELRA’s top speakers and introduce some new faces as well. For the first time, OHPELRA is providing more programming by adding three (3) presentations during our concurrent sessions.

OHPELRA will host the President’s Reception on Monday at 6:00 p.m., followed by the Annual Banquet. Our program will close with the OSU Buckeye’s own basketball standout, Scoonie Penn. Please plan to join us. Member Rate is only $299 ($399.00 non-member). More information can be located at www.ohpelra.org.

12 >>Table of Contents

TO FIND COMPLETE DETAILS ON ALL STATE PELRAs, >>CLICK HERE

OHPELRA is ready for a little friendly competition. OHPELRA plans on recruiting THE MOST NEW MEMBERS in order to win NPELRA’s Membership Rally. Is your state up for this challenge? In addition to bragging rights, we plan on winning one of four NPELRA Annual Training Conference registrations. Results will be announced in February. May the best state win!

OKLAHOMA www.okpelra.org

OREGON www.orpelra.org

TEXAS www.txpelra.orgWatch for details coming soon on the NPELRA Academy: The Investigations Process being held in Plano, TX on September 14, 2016.

WASHINGTON www.wapelra.orgWelcome new WAPELRA/NPELRA members:

Richard Bisnett - City of Moses LakeKatie Batson - Chelan County

WAPELRA held our annual fall conference September 23-25, with the NPELRA Academy II and/or an optional session on Succession Planning by Connie Poulsen were offered as our Pre-Conference sessions.

As WAPELRA President, it was truly an honor to host NPELRA President Sean Robinson in beautiful Bremerton, Washington. I want to personally thank WAPELRA Vice President and Conference Chair Amy Heller for a job very well done! We had great weather and the conference continued a long standing tradition of providing excellent educational and networking opportunities to our members. We had well over 120 attendees at the multi-day conference and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting new members and talking with those returning members that I don’t get to see very often. I was most excited that the NPELRA Board approved our request to give the CLRP® Exam to our members and I am happy to report we had 19 members take the

exam. Congratulations to those that took the time to prepare for and take the test. It was tough, but we made it through and as a result, Washington boasts many new Certified Labor Relations Professionals.

We had an engaging group of speakers including NPELRA’s own Todd Lyon from Fisher & Phillips and Linda Ross from Meyers Nave. Additionally, I would like to thank Summit Law Group for sending what seemed like all of their employment law and labor relations attorneys (Sofia Mabee, Mike Bolasina, Rod Younker, Otto Klein and Dan Swedlow) to provide exceptional sessions on a variety of topics. Summit Law continues a two decades long tradition of providing exceptional legal services, advice, and training to our members. Our conferences and trainings would not be the same without them!

In addition, we held a winter meeting (free to all members) at the Tukwila Community Center on December 2nd where Cabot Dow gave a presentation on Costing Labor Contracts, Tracey Dunlap presented on Finance and HR Partnerships to Assist with the Negotiation Process and Emily Schuh presented on the CLRP® paper and exam. A special thank you is in order to Board Member Jeanette Cefalo for pulling this meeting together. She did so with grace and patience.

Finally, the 2016 WAPELRA Board of Directors has been named – Amy Heller (President), Jenna Richardson (Vice President), Deanna Krell (long standing Secretary Extraordinaire), and Board of Directors: Valerie Biladeau, Stephanie Brown, Jeanette Cefalo, Monique Coleman, Mary Ann Hardie, Lorna Ingenthron, Peggy Pulse, David Topaz and John Whitehead. Welcome to our new Board Members… We all look forward to serving our WAPELRA members in 2016!

WISCONSIN www.wpelra.org

NPELRA www.npelra.org

FEATURED BOOK: “Just Cause The Seven Tests” by Donald F. Farwell

As an NPELRA member, you have access to over 25 selected books on the labor relations and human resources field - FREE to borrow! “Just Cause The Seven Tests” is just one of many to choose from.

>> Click HERE to access Mike’s LR Reference Room

Mike’s LABOR RELATIONS REFERENCE ROOM

Recommended

by NPELRA

Executive Director,

Mike Kolb!

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DECEMBER 9, 2015

Webinar: Free Speech in the Public WorkplaceJANUARY 12, 2016

Webinar: Legislative UpdateJANUARY 27, 2016

Webinar: FLSAFEBRUARY 4, 2016

Academy III: The Negotiation Process Plymouth, MN

FEBRUARY 7, 2016

Academy I: The Foundation of Labor Relations Wilmington, OH

FEBRUARY 11, 2016

Webinar: Workplace ViolenceMARCH 10, 2016

Webinar: Tips for Successful NegotiationsAPRIL 17, 2016

Pre-Conference Workshop: Super Manager or Super Spy: The Use of Technology in Monitoring Employee Misconduct Memphis, TN

APRIL 17, 2016

Academy I: The Foundation of Labor Relations Memphis, TN

APRIL 17-21, 2016

Annual Training Conference Memphis, TN

APRIL 21, 2016

Academy II: The Grievance Arbitration Process Memphis, TN

APRIL 21, 2016

CLRP® ExamMemphis TN

EVENTCALENDAR

The National Public Employer Labor Relations Association provides Professional Development, Networking, and Advocacy Services to Labor Relations & Human Resources professionals, so that public sector employers may deliver the most efficient and effective services to citizens & taxpayers.

NPELRA MISSION STATEMENT

STAYCONNECTED...GETINVOLVED!

LINKS TO MORE INFOACADEMY PROGRAMANNUAL TRAINING CONFERENCEARBITRATOR BIOSCAREER CENTERCLRP® COMMITTEESCONTACT USDISCUSSION FORUMFLSA BOOKMENTOR PROGRAMMIKE’S LR REFERENCE ROOMNPELRA BOARD OF DIRECTORSNPELRA FOUNDATIONONLINE TRAININGQUESTION OF THE WEEKRESOURCE LIBRARYSPEAKERS BUREAUSTATE PELRAsWEBINARS

Want to earn 2 points toward your CLRP® recertification? Have an interesting story from your agency? If you are interested in submitting an article to be included in an upcoming issue of “Connections”, please contact Yvonne at yvonne@npelra.org.