Arbitration Advocate Training

By Larry Nienow, Steward/National Arbitration Advocate

On February 25th and 26th of 2006 the National Academy of arbitrators held their annual meeting in Orlando, Florida.  Arbitrators and arbitration advocates were invited to attend this meeting and participate in their program.  The program included arbitration advocate training and opportunities to meet with other union advocates, management representatives and arbitrators.

Attending for the Broward County Area Local were Sandra Munoz, Human Relations Director/arbitration advocate, Jeff Riddell, Executive Vice President/arbitration advocate, and myself, also an arbitration advocate.

The first day consisted of advocate training, one part of which was entitled "What the arbitrator did not tell you...about the preparation and presentation of your case."  After a panel discussion on these issues by arbitrators and experienced lawyers for both management and the Union, they presented a mock arbitration with half of the attendees representing management and the other half representing the Union.  

Several seasoned arbitrators sat in on these mock arbitrations and offered their personal advice, guidance and criticism on our respective presentations.  

During lunch and dinner the first day, we had the opportunity to interact with the arbitrators and lawyers in a less formal fashion.  We had the opportunity to ask them more specific questions about arbitration issues.

The second day of training consisted of a class designed for arbitrators and advocates entitled, "User friendly arbitration, part 1 and 2."  These sessions outlined some of the major problems that arbitrators encounter with cases and advocates, along with solutions to those problems.

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Last modified: July 13, 2007