UNITE and Management Training Program for Workplace Communication & Problem Solving.

This curriculum provides materials for a training program designed to enable front-line supervisors and union stewards to minimize production disruptions stemming from ongoing, unresolved conflicts among production workers. The program accomplishes this goal by giving participants the tools and confidence to design, implement, and run a process for handling disputes. Introductory materials include the program goal, approach, and content and the training program outline with goals, basic philosophy, staff, materials for participants and for trainers, proposed format, and timeline. A section provides these components for each of eight sessions: topics, objectives, materials, session activities, and notes for the trainer. The eight sessions cover the following: (1) introduction, motivation, and organization; (2) detecting problems, exploring new solutions; (3) understanding the others' perspective; (4) fact finding skills: listening, communication with partners; (5) understanding conflict management styles; (6) grievance process and relationship to shopfloor problem solving; (7) problem-solving practice; and (8) creation and implementation of a dispute resolution process. The appendix contains the handouts for all sessions, transparency masters, and poster designs. (YLB)