Shop Steward Training Modules

Course feedback

  • "

    The course materials and presentation of this workshop were absolutely amazing. The facilitator was perfect. This was probably the first workshop I attended where my thoughts did not wander from the subject for the entire duration. We will definitely make use of your services again in future. 

    "

    Gawie Van Der Walt
    |
    Debar Ceramics
    |
    Jan 2023
  • "

    The course was very informative, and the message was loud and clear.

    "

    David Naidoo
    |
    Colgate-Palmolive
    |
    Jul 2022
  • "

    Excellent course!

    "

    Delegate
    |
    Colgate-Palmolive
    |
    Jul 2022

Why Attend?

A shop steward who is well-equipped with the appropriate knowledge and skills to carry out their role can be a real asset on the shop floor. We offer a comprehensive shop steward development programme which has proven to be very popular with many of our clients. The programme consists of four modules, each of which is available as a stand-alone course or in a variety of combinations. Contact us to discuss a bespoke combination of modules to meet your needs.

Main Topics

MODULE ONE:

ROLE OF THE SHOP STEWARD IN THE UNION-MANAGEMENT RELATIONSHIP

Recommended duration: 1 day

OUTLINE

Purpose and challenges of a shop steward

  1. Labour Relations Act
    • Freedom of association
    • Collective agreements
    • Recognition agreements and organisational rights
    • Union representatives and office bearers
    • Disclosure of information to majority Unions
  2. Recognition and organisational rights within your organisation
  3. Modes of engagement between union and management
    • Information sharing
    • Consultation
    • Negotiation
  4. The shop steward in the union-management relationship
    • Exercising rights as a shop steward
    • Roles and responsibilities of a shop steward
    • Skills and behaviours of an effective shop steward
    • Do’s and don’ts for shop stewards

MODULE TWO:

BASICS OF LABOUR LAW

Recommended duration: 2 days

OUTLINE

  1. Purpose of labour legislation
  2. Labour Relations Act
    • Freedom of Association, Collective agreements, Organisational rights
      • Collective agreements
      • Recognition agreements and organisational rights
      • Union representatives and office bearers
      • Disclosure of information to majority Unions
    • Agency and closed shop agreements
    • Industrial action
    • Dispute resolution
    • Non-standard employment
    • Discipline and dismissal
  3. Basic Conditions Of Employment Act
    • Summary of key provisions of the BCEA
  4. Employment Equity Act
    • Objectives and themes
    • Discrimination
    • Affirmative action 

This course is accredited by the South African Board for People Practices (SABPP) and is aligned to unit standard 13952 Demonstrate a Basic Understanding of the Primary Labour Legislation that Impacts on a Business Unit (NQF occupational qualification level 4, 8 credits).


MODULE THREE:

REPRESENTING MEMBERS IN DISCIPLINARY ENQUIRIES 

Recommended duration: 2 days

OUTLINE

  1. LRA Code Of Good Practice: Dismissal
  2. Company disciplinary policy and procedure
  3. Dismissal law
    • Categorisation of dismissals
    • Substantive requirements for fairness
    • Standard and onus of proof
    • Determination of sanction
    • Procedural requirements for fairness
  4. Main stages and activities in preparing for a disciplinary enquiry
  5. Investigating a disciplinary case
  6. Preparing for a disciplinary enquiry
    • Notice to attend a disciplinary enquiry
    • Strategising the case
    • Guidelines for preparing witnesses
  7. Rules of evidence
  8. Disciplinary enquiry procedure
    • Comprehensive procedure for a disciplinary enquiry
    • Participants in a disciplinary enquiry
    • Opening statements
    • Narrowing of the issues
    • Examination
    • Cross-examination
    • Re-examination
    • Closing statements

This course is accredited by the South African Board for People Practices (SABPP) and is aligned to unit standard 11286 Institute Disciplinary Action (NQF occupational qualification level 5, 8 credits).


MODULE FOUR:

CONFLICT MANAGEMENT, NEGOTIATION AND EFFECTIVE MEETING SKILLS 

Recommended duration: 2 days

OUTLINE

  1. Obstacles to consensus-building
  2. How conflict developments
  3. Approaches to conflict management
  4. Modern negotiation theory
    • Exploring outcomes in and approaches to negotiation
    • Understanding positional, needs-based and mutual gain negotiation
    • Maximising joint value and achieving optimum outcomes
    • The role of trust in negotiation
    • The significance of alternatives to agreement
  5. Conflict management styles
  6. Behaviours of effective consensus seekers
  7. Practising consensus-building skills
    • Distinguishing positions from needs and extracting needs to find mutual gains outcomes
    • Listening skills
    • Use of ‘I’ statements
    • Use of questions
    • Handling anger
  8. A joint problem-solving process
  9. Effective meeting skills

This course is accredited by the South African Board for People Practices (SABPP) and is aligned to unit standard 114226 Interpret and Manage Conflicts within the Workplace (NQF occupational qualification level 5, 8 credits).

Accreditations