# Federal Labor Relations Course (Intermediate) Canonical URL: ## Overview Formerly titled: Labor Relations for Practitioners. Learn about the practice of labor relations in the workplace. Understanding the more complex aspects of federal labor relations is needed to know when advising management and effectively process labor-management activities. ## What you'll learn - Depict an overview of the history of labor relations in the federal sector. - Understand the basic principles of federal labor relations incorporated in the Labor Management Relations Statute. - Learn the mission and goals of the various bodies involved in overseeing and facilitating the labor relations processes in the Federal sector. - Understand and apply the concepts of mandatory and permissive bargaining. - Understand the concepts of negotiability. - Explain the role of the union steward. - Learn how to deal with union stewards. - Understand the purpose of official time. - Learn methods to control official time. - Understand the grievance & ULP process. ## Curriculum #### Module 1: Historical Overview - Trace the development of U.S. unionism and federal-sector labor relations leading to the CSRA. - Explain how executive orders and legislation shaped today’s federal LR framework. - Connect labor-management history to current day bargaining and dispute practices. #### Module 2: Legal Principles and Third Parties - Summarize the Labor-Management Relations Statute (5 U.S.C. Chapter 71) and its key provisions. - Differentiate rights and responsibilities of employees, management (§7106), and unions. - Identify roles of FLRA, FMCS, FSIP, arbitrators, and DOL in the LR system. #### Module 3: Representation and Meetings - Apply union representation rights and duties under 5 U.S.C. §7114. - Determine when meetings are “formal discussions” requiring union presence. - Exercise Weingarten rights during investigatory interviews. #### Module 4: Scope of Bargaining - Distinguish prohibited, permissive (§7106(b)(1)), and mandatory subjects of bargaining. - Analyze negotiability issues tied to management rights and appropriate arrangements. - Address other scope topics including procedures and implementation details. #### Module 5: Negotiations and Applying the Contract - Plan for term and mid-term bargaining; prepare teams, data, and strategies. - Use models and techniques that prevent negotiability disputes and impasses. - Navigate FMCS/FSIP processes, agency-head review, ratification, and contract signing. - Interpret and apply the agreement; manage changes during negotiations. #### Module 6: Role of the Union Steward - Clarify steward responsibilities and representational boundaries. - Practice day-to-day interactions grounded in the “robust debate” principle. - Address and de-escalate abusive conduct while maintaining statutory rights. #### Module 7: Official Time - Define official time purposes and limits under the Statute and case law. - Document, approve, and control official time use with practical methods. - Resolve disputes over reasonableness and availability. #### Module 8: Information Requests - Meet §7114(b)(4) requirements for furnishing data to the exclusive representative. - Establish and evaluate “particularized need.” - Balance disclosure with confidentiality, privacy, and security constraints. #### Module 9: Grievances - Design and follow negotiated grievance procedures through binding arbitration. - Assess grievability/arbitrability and select appropriate remedies. - Coordinate, document, and settle grievances effectively. #### Module 10: Unfair Labor Practices (ULPs) - Identify management and union ULPs, defenses, and remedies. - Follow FLRA Office of General Counsel investigation processes. - Implement preventive practices to reduce ULP exposure. #### Module 11: Consultation Rights - Explain national consultation rights and when they apply. - Integrate consultation into agency policy development and changes. #### Module 12: Developing and Working Proposals - Draft clear, negotiable proposals and counterproposals aligned with mission and law. - Assess impact/costs and prepare justification packages. - Refine language to avoid unintended obligations and negotiability pitfalls. ## Schedule - Aug 3, 2026 – Aug 5, 2026 — Live Online - Sep 16, 2026 – Sep 18, 2026 — Live Online - Nov 4, 2026 – Nov 6, 2026 — Live Online ## Instructors ### Judy Mintze — Instructor Judy Mintze is a retired Federal HR instructor with over 30 years of experience specializing in Federal Human Resource Processing and Personnel Actions (FPPA). She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana Wesleyan University and has dedicated her career to teaching federal HR professionals. Judy is known for creating engaging and inclusive learning environments where participants feel empowered to ask questions and apply federal laws, rules, and regulations to their work. Her expertise spans a wide range of HR topics, including recruitment, pay setting, and personnel action processing. During her tenure as an HR Specialist at the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), Judy served as a Senior Human Resource Instructor, training newly hired HR staff on complex topics such as developing assessment materials, adjudicating veterans' preferences, and setting pay. She also developed course materials, lesson plans, and examinations, ensuring her students were well-equipped to navigate the complexities of federal HR processes. Judy’s passion for teaching extends beyond the classroom, as she has also conducted federal resume writing workshops and contributed to process improvement projects to streamline hiring practices. ### Natalya H. Bah — Instructor Natalya Bah has been a part-time instructor at the Graduate School USA for over fifteen years. Natalya teaches across multiple curricula, including Leadership and Management, Project Management, and Human Resources. She has created a curriculum for the school, including Change Management Workshops and project management courses. She has served as an action learning coach, instructor, and facilitator for government leadership programs in the Center for Leadership and Management. Natalya also provides self-assessments and dynamic team-building sessions on behalf of the Graduate School USA. Outside of Graduate School USA, Ms. Bah is a self-employed business owner providing executive coaching, training, and consulting services to the public and private sectors. She created the Define and Achieve Your Goals Process™ and is a certified Birkman Method© Consultant. She received her Master of Science degree in Project Management from George Washington University’s School of Business, where she served as a teaching assistant and received the Project Management Award. She is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). ### Victoria Cox — Instructor Dr. Victoria Cox is a seasoned professional with over 31 years of distinguished service in the federal government. She holds a doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership and brings a wealth of expertise to her role as an instructor. Since joining Graduate School USA in 2023, Dr. Cox has been dedicated to teaching Human Resources courses, leveraging her extensive experience to guide and inspire the next generation of HR professionals. ### Adrianna Harden — Instructor Adrianna is a retired federal Human Resources (HR) Senior Leader who dedicated her civil service career serving America’s veterans. She retired after spending over 32 years in HR, working at Veteran Affairs Headquarters, Regional Office, and Field facilities. She passionately shares her wealth of HR knowledge to all who are interested. She loves learning and intentionally commits to learning “something new” every day. In addition to her extensive HR experience, she has a Master’s degree in Management Technology and HRM. She is certified as a Senior HR Professional with the Society of Human Resources Management organization. ### Sineta Scott Robertson — Instructor With nearly four decades of distinguished service in federal Human Resources leadership, Sineta Scott Robertson is a seasoned executive and educator recognized for her expertise in Title 5 Human Resources, workforce planning, organizational design, and employee engagement. She has dedicated her career to advancing strategic human capital management across Cabinet-level agencies, serving as both a transformative leader and trusted advisor to senior executives and policymakers. Throughout her career, Sineta has held pivotal leadership roles at the U.S. Department of Transportation, Department of Housing & Urban Development, and Department of Agriculture, where she guided national HR policy, labor relations, workforce innovation, and program oversight. Notable achievements include leading the Department of Transportation’s efforts to become a “Telework Ready” agency, implementing its HR Accountability and Pathways Programs, and spearheading process improvements that significantly reduced error rates and enhanced performance management scores. Beyond government service, Sineta has extended her expertise to the classroom as an Adjunct Human Resources Instructor with Graduate School USA, where she equips HR professionals, supervisors, and executives with practical and technical knowledge in federal human resources systems, policies, and practices. In 2014, she founded Perspectives for Peace, LLC, a consulting and Christian coaching practice. Through this work, she partners with organizations to strengthen HR effectiveness and provides faith-based executive and life coaching, helping leaders align purpose, performance, and peace. Her career is marked by a commitment to people—helping agencies build high-performing, motivated workforces while guiding individuals to unlock their potential and live with clarity of purpose. Sineta holds a master’s in Christian counseling from Newburgh Theological Seminary (2024) and is a Doctoral Candidate in Christian Counseling (expected 2026). She also earned her Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies from Washington Baptist Theological Seminary. A respected professional, mentor, and faith-driven leader, Sineta Scott Robertson continues to merge her passion for organizational excellence with her calling to serve others through coaching, teaching, and ministry. ### DeShanta Hinton — Instructor DeShanta N. Hinton is a Human Resources Professional who has experience serving in various capacities across the HR industry. She has a proven track record of leading Staffing, Recruitment, and Classification teams. During her 35-year tenure as a federal government employee, she has worked in 5 different agencies where she became well-versed in the following HR areas: Recruitment & Staffing, Personnel Processing, eOPF administration & maintenance, Quality Assurance, Benefits & Compensation, and Employee & Labor Relations. DeShanta is enthusiastic about writing and mentoring. In 2018, she became a published author. Collaborating with other women of influence and information, this humbling experience provided DeShanta with a therapeutic process for healing, growing, maturing, and becoming a better version of herself. Through her heart’s work, in 2016, DeShanta began partnering with a few non-profit organizations across the Washington, DC metro area to formally mentor low-income Washingtonians. Leaning into her love for learning, DeShanta furthered her education by obtaining the following degrees: an Associate and Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, as well as a Master of Science in Human Resources and a Master of Business Administration. Her passion for Human Resources ignited her journey to becoming an Instructor at the Graduate School, where she now facilitates Human Resources Management courses. She is a native Washingtonian and enjoys spending time with her family, spending time outdoors, and growing plants in her spare time. ### Rhonda Coachman-Steward — Instructor Rhonda Coachman-Steward is a seasoned federal human resources leader with more than 30 years of experience in recruitment, staffing, classification, employee relations, executive resources, and HR policy development. She has held senior HR roles across multiple federal agencies, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, the Department of the Treasury, and the U.S. Secret Service. She is known for her strong analytical skills, strategic leadership, and deep expertise in federal HR operations and systems. At Graduate School USA, Ms. Coachman-Steward teaches a range of Federal HR training courses, drawing on her extensive experience overseeing major HR functions and advising senior executives. She is proficient in systems such as NFC, DFAS, DCPS, PeopleSoft, QuickHire, and USA Staffing, and holds a Certificate in Computer Programming from Strayer University, along with Computer Science studies at the University of Maryland. Her work has been recognized with numerous federal awards, including multiple Special Act or Service Awards, Quality Step Increases, Time Off Awards, and Inspector General commendations. ### Kristin Aurelia Kristin Aurelia is a senior human resource and business management leader with over 25 years of expertise transforming organizations through strategic HR initiatives, leadership development, policy innovation, and operational excellence, with a specialty in global workforce management across high-stakes defense and federal environments. During her distinguished career at the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), she spearheaded the agency's first-ever Remote Work Program, supported by a comprehensive 275-page business case analysis and post-pandemic expansion, and led Phase I and Phase II of the Cyber Excepted Service (CES) implementation, impacting more than 5,500 positions. She also revitalized the Next Level Leaders Program and launched the Civilian Workforce Agility, Mobility, and Development (AMD) Program, which earned a Director's Coin as one of the Agency Director's Top 10 Initiatives. Kristin has advised DoD-level workgroups on civilian personnel, telework and remote work, and quality of work life, while overseeing policy creation and compliance across Title 5, Title 10, OPM, and DCPAS frameworks. Today she serves as a Curriculum Program Manager and HR and Leadership instructor at the Graduate School. An entrepreneur at heart, she is owner and senior consultant at KC Consulting Solutions, LLC, providing business and communication plan development for start-ups, personalized career consulting, and grant writing. She is also Co-Founder of SHE Wise Publications & SHE Wise Wellness, the author of eight published books in the spiritual, healing, and self-help genres, and host of the globally syndicated \*Surviving the Human Experience Podcast\* on Boston's Dreamvisions7 Radio Network. Kristin holds an MBA and an MA in Human Resource Management with an Instructional Design Certificate, as well as a BA in Psychology with an HR Certificate from Marymount University in Arlington, VA, and she completed a graduate-level Leadership & Development Program at George Washington University. Her wellness credentials include NASM Certified Nutrition (CNC) and Wellness Coach (CWC), Trinity Certified Health Coach (CHC), and Biofield Tuner, and she is currently pursuing the Certified Holistic Health Practitioner Program (CHHP) at Trinity School of Natural Health, with anticipated completion in April 2026. ## Pricing **Tuition:** $1299