Cornell University

Labor Leadership Skills Program: Costing Out a Contract

Thursday, October 8, 2020 2pm to 4pm

This is a practical, how-to-workshop to give union negotiators and bargaining committee members the skills they need to prepare for contract negotiations. Exercises are used throughout the workshop to illustrate how to calculate the projected costs of an agreement.

Key Topics

  • How to use the Consumer Price Index and measure real income
  • How to calculate percentage and dollar increase costs
  • Steps to costing out the union's demands
  • Practice as a mock bargaining unit costing out contract proposals

Approach and Features
This live in-person workshop utilizes costing exercises, group discussions, and an in-depth costing out role play. Participants are given a variety of exercises to calculate the cost of living, benefits, pay increases, and insurance premiums in a team setting.