9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Conference Registration

Opening of Conference/Brunch

Presentation:  "Labor in Detroit:  Working in the Motor City"

Mike Smith, Interim Director, Walter Reuther Library

Tom Featherstone, Audi Visual Archivist, Walter Reuther Library

  2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

  2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Conference Registration Resumes

Concurrent Roundtables:

 1.  Commissioners/Board Members

Suggested Topics:  Legislative Issues, Agency Organization Issues, and Survival Issues in Budgetary Hard Times

Discussion Leaders:

Brenda Council, Nebraska Commission of Industrial Relations

Edward Sadlowski, Illinois Labor Relations Board
Maris Stella Swift,  Michigan Employment Relations Commission

2.   Mediators

Suggested Topics:  Mediating High Profile Disputes, Interest-Based Bargaining - Here to Stay or Variation on the Theme, and Mediating After Rejected Tentative Agreements

Discussion Leaders:

John Mather, Ontario Ministry of Labour

Larry Gibbons, National Mediation Board

Wanda Mayes, Michigan Employment Relations Commission

3.   General Counsels/Legal Staff

Suggested Topics:  Agency - General Counsel Relationships, Duty of Fair Representation Issues, Technology and Legal Developments

Discussion Leaders:

Jim Crawford, Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board

Steve Meck, Florida Public Employee Relations Commission

4.   Directors/Administrative Officers

Suggested Topics:  Staffing/Budget Issues, Evaluating Professional Staff, and Agency Performance Measures

Discussion Leaders:

Marvin Schurke, Washington Public Employment Relations Commission

Ruthanne Okun, Michigan Employment Relations Commission

Jack Buettner, Regional Director, Midwest Region, FMCS - U.S.

  5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

  6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Welcome Reception for First-Time Conference Participants

Conference Reception (at Hotel)

Join us in the hotel for a reception featuring a "Taste of Detroit," where attendees will have the opportunity to taste foods representative of the diverse ethnic groups who have made the Detroit area their home, including:  Greek, Mexican, Middle Easter, and Polish foods.  Take the time to renew old friendships, and meet and greet new conference delegates while enjoying this sumptuous array of food and drink.

8:30 - 9:00 a.m.

Welcome Remarks (updated 7/11/03)

The Honorable Michael Hurst, Mayor of Windsor

Donald W. Boggs, President, Metropolitan Detroit AFL-CIO

Larry Alexander, President/ CEO of Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau

9:00  - 10:30 a.m.

Plenary Session (updated 7/1/03)

Labor Speaker: Ron Gettlefinger, President, United Auto Workers
Management Speaker:  Harold Coxson, Jr., Ogletree Deakins, Attorneys at Law .

Neutral Speaker:  Carol Waller Pope, Member, Federal Labor Relations Agency

10:30-10:45 a.m.

BREAK

10:45 - 12:00 noon

Concurrent Sessions

1.   Auto Negotiations and Their Economic Impact

Few industries impact the North American economy with the breadth and depth of the auto industry.  In the US, the "Big Three" collective bargaining agreements will expire soon.  Hear from the experts - What are the issues?  How will they impact an industry estimated to have a direct impact of 3-4% on the US GNP?  This panel of industry and academic experts will outline the significant problems the negotiators will be addressing and their likely impact on the collective bargaining environment and the economy.

Panelists:

Sean McAlinden, Chief Economist of the Center of Automotive Research

Bill Murnighan, Canadian Auto Workers (CAW)

2.  Policy Changes in Political Transitions

Elections produced significant change on the national political spectrum.  Less public, but equally important to the labor relations community are the changes which occurred at the state level.  Three new department heads of neutral agencies will explain the potential policy impacts of political transitions.  

Panelists:

David C. Hollister, Director, Michigan Department of Consumer &

Industry Services

James Cunningham, Commissioner, Minnesota Bureau of Mediation Services

Carol Nolan Drake, Chairman, Ohio State Employment Relations Board

3.  Effective Use of Mediation

A staple of labor relations and collective bargaining since the legal recognition of the process, mediation and its practice are constantly changing.  What has changed and what has stayed the same?  Are the parties really getting the most out of the process?  Do they know what's available?  A panel of experienced mediators will share their perspectives and their expertise.

Panelists:

Jackie McVeigh, Mediator Specialist with Labour Management Services, Ontario Ministry of Labour

Ed Phillips, Mediator, Michigan Employment Relations Commission

John Pinto, Director of Mediation Services, Midwest Region (FMCS, US)

12:00 noon - 1:30 p.m.

LUNCH

Peter Hurtgen, National Director, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service - U.S.,  Former Chair of the National Labor Relations Board

1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.

Concurrent Workshops (revised 7/11/03)

1.  Health Care Cost Pressures on Collective Bargaining

Health insurance is clearly one of a handful of issues driving bargaining throughout the United States.  Is cost control out of the picture?  Is cost shifting or sharing the only answer?  Is a national solution the only way out of the cost spiral?  This panel of experts will explore the health care issues confronting employers and unions everywhere.

Panelists:

Philip Schloop, Business Manager, I.U.O. E. Local 547

Priscilla Horde, Director of Employee Relations, Mt. Clemens General Hospital

Dave Klinger, V.P. Human Resources, Mt. Clemens General Hospital

David Watroba, Director of Marketing Relations, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan

2.   Pension/Retirement Bargaining Issues

After many years of financial growth and additional benefits as a regular part of negotiations, many pension systems are in financial jeopardy.  Investment losses and the pending retirement of the "boomers" have moved the issue of pensions and retirement eligibility to the front of the table in bargaining throughout North America.  What are the problems?  Are there joint solutions for the short and the long run?  It's an issue confronting management and labor with a new ferocity.

Panelists:

George W. King, McTague Law Firm LLP, Windsor, Ontario

Paul Zorn, Director of Governmental Research, Babriel, Roeder, Smith & Co.

Nicholas Nahat, Novara, Tesija & Michela, PC

3.  Arbitrators for Advocates

Not a new self-help group, this prestigious panel of arbitrators will outline the difficult issues and concerns being confronted by arbitrators and practitioners.  Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the approaches of prominent nationally recognized arbitrators.

Panelists:

Walt Gershenfeld, President, National Academy of Arbitrators

Karen Bush Schneider, Attorney, Arbitrator

Mary A. Bedikian, Director, Alternative Dispute Resolution Program, Michigan State University-DCL College of Law

2:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

3:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.

Break

Plenary Session

Robert Battista, Chairman, National Labor Relations Board

3:45 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Concurrent Sessions (revised 7/11/03)

1.  Appearing Before Administrative Agencies - The Do's and Don'ts 

Experienced administrative law judges and managers will lead this session.  Attendees will learn the actions and behaviors that hurt them most in appearances before neutral administrative agencies.  This panel will also examine the things an agency finds helpful.  At the end of this session every advocate will have had the opportunity to learn from the judges regarding administrative procedures.

Panelists:

Clint Wolcott, Senior Attorney, Federal Labor Relations Authority

Roy L. Roulhac, Administrative Law Judge, Michigan Employment Relations Commission

Stephen Glasser, Regional Director, Region 7, National Labor Relations Board

2.  Practitioner's Ethics Before Neutral Agencies

Ethics is more than a "buzzword" for practitioners in labor relations.  In a business where a persons' promise still means a great deal, advocates and ALRA delegates will have an opportunity to explore the ethical issues unique to the profession and practice before neutral agencies.  Ethical issues are increasingly important in an era of increased adversarial behavior and these panelists have the experience and expertise to provide all attendees with valuable information and practical applications.

Panelists:

The Honorable Henry William Saad, Judge, Michigan Court of Appeals

Victoria Kremski, Assistant Regulation Counsel, Professional Standards, State Bar of Michigan

5:00 p.m.

6:30  p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Adjournment

Reception:  Detroit Institute of Arts

Following the conclusion of the formal Advocates' Day program at 5 p.m., advocates and delegates will travel a short distance from the hotel to the Detroit Institute of Arts, where ALRA will host a reception in the Rivera Court.  There a museum curator will present a brief discussion about the murals painted by Diego Rivera, which depict industry in the Detroit area, focusing on the automobile assembly line.  Attendees will have the unique opportunity to view the Diego Rivera masterpiece murals in this way, while enjoying a delicious buffet, drinks, and informal networking with colleagues, including the many labor relations notables who served as presenters at the Advocates' Day program.

8:30 - 10:15 a.m.

The Ethics of Neutrality
NLRB Deputy  General Counsel John Higgins will address the delegates on this crucial and complex topic.  Mr. Higgins' presentation will be followed by a "conversation" session between panelists and the audience focusing on specific ethical dilemmas faced by our delegates. 

Presenters:

John E. Higgins, Jr., Deputy General Counsel, National Labor Relations Board

Les Heltzer, Executive Secretary, National Labor Relations Board

Elizabeth MacPherson, Director General, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, Canada
 

10:15 - 10:30 a.m.

BREAK

10:30 - 12:00 noon

Concurrent Sessions

Arbitration - Fundamentals and Advancing Trends 
Learn the basics and the new developments from one of the best.

Presenter:

Joel Weisblatt, National Academy Arbitrator, and Member (New Jersey), New York/New Jersey Port Authority Employment Relations Panel 

Managing & Measuring Professional Field Staff

This panel will discuss techniques for and challenges to, achieving fair and positive systems of management and evaluation for employees who spend most of their time out of the office.  

Presenters:

Daniel Rainey (Moderator), Deputy Chief of Staff, Development and Technology, National Mediation Board

Reg Pearson, Director, Labor Management Services [Mediaton/Arbitration Services], Ontario Ministry of Labour

John J. Toner, Chief of Staff, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service - U.S.

OPTIONAL AFTERNOON

EVENTS

Option 1:  Ford Engine Plant Tour, Windsor, Ontario

Delegates and their guests will depart the hotel at 2:15 p.m. for a half-hour bus ride to the Ford Engine Plant in Windsor, Ontario.  Following the plant tour, delegates and guests will have the option of returning directly to the Hotel (expected arrival time is 6 p.m.) or visiting the Windsor Casino and later returning to the Hotel (expected arrival time is 9 p.m.).  Should you choose this option, you must have the proper documentation to cross the border into Canada and return to the U.S.  Proper documentation is:   a passport,  or a birth certificate and two pieces of photo identification.  Government issued photo identification is preferred.  Also, you must have safety shoes (mandatory - no exceptions: a limited number of slip on safety shoes will be provided).

Option 2:  Greenfield Village/Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn, Michigan

Following conclusion of the program at noon, delegates and their guests will depart the hotel at 12:30 p.m. for a half-hour bus ride to Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum (recently restored and renamed "The Henry Ford").  This area is recognized as one of "America's Greatest History Attractions."  Delegates and guests will hold a ticket that will allow them to visit both the Museum and the Village, and will be able to purchase additional tickets for other attractions once arriving at the site.  We will board the bus to return to the hotel, shortly after the park closes at 5 p.m.

8:45 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

ALRA Annual Business Meeting

10:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

BREAK

10:30 a.m. - 12 noon

Concurrent Sessions

Decision Writing
Learn the fundamentals of writing decisions to withstand constituency and judicial scrutiny. 

Presenters:

Paul Buxbaum, Administrative Law Judge, National Labor Relations Board

Joe Barker, Deputy Regional Attorney, NLRB, Region 7, Detroit

Mediation Basics 

An interactive session using role playing to teach this introductory level session on mediation.  

Presenters:

Mary Stevens (Moderator), Chair, Phoenix Employment Relations Board

Reg Pearson, Direcotr, Labour Management Services [Mediation/Arbitration Services], Ontario Ministry of Labour

Jacalyn J. Zimmerman, General Counsel, Illinois Labor Relations Board

Marilyn Glenn Sayan, Chair, State of Washington Public Employment Relations Commission

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

LUNCH

1:00 p.m. -2:45 p.m.

2: 45 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Concurrent Sessions

The Hearing Process - Part I 

In this first of two sessions reviewing issues in the hearing process, federal and state administrative judges and officers will focus on the challenges of conducting difficult hearings, including those with pro se litigants. 

Presenters:

William L. Schmidt, Associate Chief Judge, NLRB Division of Judges

Marjorie Wittner, Chief Counsel, Massachusetts Labor Relations Commission

Mediation - Advanced Practices

This session will provide discussion of specific and often complicated issues and problems faced by experienced mediators.  

Elizabeth MacPherson (Moderator), Director, General, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, Canada

Arnold Powers, Regional Director, Ontario, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, Canada

Jennifer Webster, Senior Conciliation Officer, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, Canada

Concurrent Sessions

The Hearing Process - Part II

The second of two sessions on the hearing process, this program  will review specific evidentiary issues encountered in the administrative hearing process as well as the appropriate role of the hearing officer.

William L Schmidt - Associate Chief Judge, National Labor Relations Board, Division of Judges

Beth C. Shillington, Administrative Law Judge, Ohio State Employment Relations Board

Mediation - Part II - Mediators and the Media:  Can the Press Be Handled?

Anyone caught by the media while trying to resolve a difficult case will appreciate the discussion generated in this session.  Individuals from the media will interact with delegates to discuss the issues and techniques in dealing with the media.

Reg Pearson (Moderator), Director, Labour Management Service, Ontario Ministry of Labour, and former Chief Negotiator, Canadian Broadcasting Company

Percy Hatfield, Reporter, Canadian Broadcasting Company and former bargaining committee member, Canadian Wire Service Guild

Cindy Goodakre, Executive Editor, Crane's Detroit Business Review

Vicky Thomas, News Anchor, WWJ Radio, Detroit

6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Reception

7:00 p.m.

Closing Banquet 

Following conclusion of the formal program, the 2003 ALRA Annual Conference will come to a close with a banquet replete with memories of Motown.  This dinner will provide participants with a final opportunity to indulge in Detroit's varied cuisine, in an atmosphere created by musicians playing Detroit jazz, while enjoying the conviviality and rapport of the past several days.