Learn the fundamentals of collective bargaining negotiations and wage payment requirements for public sector employers with one of Illinois’ leading labor law attorneys. Managing a public sector workforce in the State of Illinois presents unique challenges that are not commonly found in the private sector. Among those challenges is the fact that the public sector workforce is highly unionized. In the first part of this session, you will learn negotiation fundamentals as the workshop leader describes and analyzes the statutory framework for public sector collective bargaining, unfair labor practices and procedures, and grievance arbitration. The presenter will discuss the issues frequently arising in public sector collective bargaining and review real-life examples of the difficult issues and decisions that require skillful negotiation by public officials to reach a win-win outcome. There will also be discussion on the impact that the global pandemic may have on collective bargaining negotiations and the public sector workforce.

This second part of the workshop will examine common mistakes and misconceptions with state and federal wage payment laws, including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Illinois Minimum Wage Law, and Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act. The presentation will focus on areas where mistakes are commonly made, including wage-hour issues that are unique to the public sector such as firefighter Kelly Days, 7(k) work periods, and compensatory time off. In addition, the workshop will highlight recent labor and employment legislation impacting the public sector and strategies for managing the workplace in light of those changes.