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Trade Union Engagement and Collective Bargaining

Move union relationships from confrontation to constructive engagement without giving away the store. This programme builds practical skills in preparing for wage negotiations, running bargaining sessions and maintaining sound day to day relationships with shop stewards and union officials. It is grounded in the African labour landscape, where collective bargaining, recognition agreements and industrial action shape operational stability.

What you will be able to do

  • Explain the collective bargaining framework and recognition arrangements.
  • Prepare a negotiation mandate, costing and fallback positions.
  • Apply structured bargaining tactics during wage and condition negotiations.
  • Build constructive day to day relationships with shop stewards.
  • Manage deadlocks, disputes and the risk of industrial action.
  • Draft and administer collective and recognition agreements.

Course outline

  1. 01The collective bargaining and recognition landscape
  2. 02Preparing a mandate and costing offers
  3. 03Bargaining strategy and negotiation tactics
  4. 04Managing the bargaining table and caucuses
  5. 05Working with shop stewards day to day
  6. 06Deadlocks, disputes and industrial action
  7. 07Drafting and administering agreements
  8. 08Negotiation simulation and debrief

Who should attend

HR managers, employee and labour relations practitioners, operations managers and negotiators who engage with trade unions and workplace forums.

Dates, venues and fees

DatesVenueDaysFeeCalendar
17 to 19 Aug 2026Pretoria3R13,000
24 to 26 Aug 2026Cape Town3R13,000
7 to 9 Sep 2026Online3US$900
14 to 16 Sep 2026Mozambique3US$1,500
21 to 23 Sep 2026Cairo3US$1,500
28 to 30 Sep 2026Accra3US$1,500
5 to 7 Oct 2026Lusaka3US$1,500
12 to 14 Oct 2026Kigali3US$1,500
19 to 21 Oct 2026Nairobi3US$1,500
26 to 28 Oct 2026Durban3R13,000
2 to 4 Nov 2026Johannesburg3R13,000
16 to 18 Nov 2026Mauritius3US$1,500
23 to 25 Nov 2026Dubai3US$1,500
30 Nov to 2 Dec 2026Lagos3US$1,500
7 to 9 Dec 2026Harare3US$1,500
14 to 16 Dec 2026Kampala3US$1,500
21 to 23 Dec 2026Dar es Salaam3US$1,500

Fees are per delegate. South African venues are priced in rand; other locations and online in US dollars. Fees exclude 15% VAT where applicable. Group bookings of three or more delegates from the same organisation qualify for a reduced rate; contact us for a quotation.

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