# Federal Labor Relations Course (Basic) (Self-Paced)

Canonical URL: <https://www.graduateschool.edu/courses/federal-labor-relations-course-basic-self-paced>

## Overview

Learn about the fundamentals of collective bargaining and the rights and responsibilities of employees, management, and unions in the federal labor relations process.

We also offer [Basic Labor Relations OnDemand](https://www.graduateschool.edu/courses/basic-labor-relations), completely self-paced over the course of 6 months.

## What you'll learn

- Present an overview of the history of labor relations in the federal sector.
- Discuss the basic principles of labor relations incorporated in the Labor-Management Relations Statute.
- Define the procedures involved in conducting a union campaign and election.
- Describe the meaning, history, and process of collective bargaining.
- Outline contract administration, negotiated grievance procedures, and unfair labor practices.

## Curriculum

**Module 1: Governing Principles for Federal Human Resources Management, Historical Overview**

- Review the merit system principles, prohibited personnel practices, and the EEO framework.
- Trace the history of unionism in the U.S. and its evolution in the federal sector.
- Explain how collective bargaining provides orderly conflict resolution and improves operations.

**Module 2: Federal Labor-Management Relations Statute**

- Summarize Title VII of the CSRA and key provisions of 5 U.S.C. Chapter 71.
- Differentiate employee, union, and management rights—including management rights in §7106.
- Identify third-party mechanisms (FLRA, FMCS, FSIP) and their roles in labor relations.
- Define bilateral decision-making, scope of bargaining, grievance/arbitration, and official time.

**Module 3: Exclusive Recognition**

- Define a bargaining unit and apply appropriateness criteria (community of interest, effective dealings, efficiency).
- Recognize statutory exclusions (e.g., supervisors, confidential employees, certain security functions).
- Outline organizing campaigns and neutrality rules for employees, unions, and management.
- Explain elections, certifications, petition bars (election/certification/contract), window periods, and decertification.

**Module 4: Collective Bargaining (Negotiations)**

- Plan and conduct negotiations consistent with good-faith bargaining obligations.
- Distinguish mandatory, permissive, and prohibited subjects of bargaining.
- Address negotiability disputes and use FMCS/FSIP processes to resolve impasses.
- Document agreements and understand the effect of negotiated provisions.

**Module 5: Living With the Agreement and Meetings**

- Administer and interpret collective bargaining agreements and manage contract changes.
- Apply past practice principles and mid-term bargaining considerations.
- Understand representation at meetings (formal discussions) and related rights/obligations.
- Promote constructive day-to-day labor-management relations under the agreement.

**Module 6: Grievances and Unfair Labor Practices**

- Design and execute negotiated grievance procedures culminating in binding arbitration.
- Process grievances effectively—roles, timelines, and documentation.
- Identify union and management ULPs and outline FLRA investigation and remedies.
- Differentiate when issues belong in ULP charges versus the grievance process.

## Pricing

**Tuition:** $1049