Labor Relations

The Labor Relations Program offers certificates in Contract Administration and Collective Bargaining Studies. Each certificate requires six workshops for a total of 60 units.

While a certificate can be earned in as little as two weeks, all required workshops for each certificate must be completed within an 18-month period. If you participate in a Cornell workshop and intend to apply it toward earning a certificate, then please do let us know.

When you complete the final workshop in your chosen curriculum, you will be awarded a framed Cornell ILR certificate that attests to your achievement. Open enrollment workshops can be taken individually. The workshops and certificates are also available as Customized Programs for your organization.

Contract Administration Studies

Managing staff and operations within the confines of a collective bargaining agreement requires a full understanding of contract terms, legal principles, and grievance procedures.

Core Curriculum Units
Labor Relations Law* 12
Contract Language: Working Within It; Making It Work for You* 6
Effective Discipline for a Unionized Environment 12
Effectiveness in Arbitration 18
Strategic Grievance Handling 12
Investigation Tools and Techniques 6


Collective Bargaining Studies

This certificate provides a comprehensive overview of the collective bargaining process from pre-bargaining preparation to final sign-off.

Core Curriculum Units
Labor Relations Law* 12
Preparation for Collective Bargaining 12
Effective Collective Bargaining 12
Contract Language: Working Within It; Making It Work for You* 6
Fundamental Negotiation Skills 12
Interest-Based Bargaining Strategies and Structures 6

*Labor Relations Law and Contract Language can be applied to both the Collective Bargaining and Contract Administration studies Labor Relations certificates.