Below are some practical tips managers and supervisors should use to review their collective bargaining agreement to avoid disputes regularly:
- Review key provisions regularly – Get familiar with important sections of the CBA, such as grievance procedures, discipline, hours of service, and seniority.
- Keep a quick-reference guide – Create a simplified “cheat sheet” of the most applied rules for day-to-day use.
- Incorporate into training – Use CBAs as part of supervisor and manager training to ensure consistent application across teams.
- Schedule periodic refreshers – Set calendar reminders to review the CBA, especially after updates or contract renewals.
- Collaborate with HR/labor relations – Ask questions and clarify contract language with the people who negotiated the contract before making decisions that could lead to disputes.
- Document and communicate – Keep written records of how CBA provisions are applied and ensure consistent communication with employees.
- Stay ahead of renewals – As contracts approach expiration, understand which contractual provisions are not working, assess the costs of any necessary changes, and review the implications for your department.