REGISTRATION FEE SCHEDULE
Registration for the conference is $695.00. Each registration includes one non-transferable registrant ticket for the following events: Presidents Welcoming Reception, Thursday Distinguished Speaker Luncheon, and Friday Presidential Luncheon. Tickets are available at an additional cost for guests to attend all meal events. Guest meal tickets are transferable; registrant tickets are not.
DISCOUNTS
Interns of NAA Members, and Students: 50% off registration rate. Please use code “HALFOFF” Organizational Registrations: 2 or more registrants, $50 off each registration – use code “50OFF.
CANCELLATION POLICY
REFUNDS: Only those cancellations received at the NAA Operations Center by mail, e-mail, telephone, or fax on or before March 31, 2025, will be entitled to refunds of the conference registration fee (subject to $100 processing charge) and additional meal tickets.
PLEASE NOTE: All amounts will be processed in U.S. Dollars. The Academy accepts Checks (U.S. Funds Only) and Credit Cards (American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa). WEDNESDAY, April 30, 2025 1:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. THURSDAY, May 1, 2025 Land Acknowledgement Duwamish (dxʷdəwʔabš) Tribal Members Presidential Remarks: Program Announcements: 9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Labor arbitration has long been a cornerstone of workplace dispute resolution, offering a unique approach that prioritizes fairness, efficiency, and the long-term relationship between labor and management. Historically, arbitration advocacy was often performed by nonlawyers from within the labor-management relationship, emphasizing the collaborative and practical nature of the process. Over time, attorneys have become more involved in labor arbitration, bringing their expertise and perspective to the field. This session revisits the valuable role of nonlawyer advocates, both past and present, and explores how their contributions continue to complement the work of legal professionals. Designed to appeal to a broad audience of labor arbitrators, experienced advocates, and those new to arbitration advocacy, this plenary will highlight the benefits of empowering nonlawyers to take on advocacy roles in arbitration. It will also consider how their participation strengthens the collaborative spirit of labor arbitration and fosters enduring labor-management relationships. Join our panel of experienced practitioners who will share their insights, challenges, and success stories. This session will set the stage for the breakout workshops that follow, which will provide practical training on skills essential for effective advocacy in labor arbitration, including preparing for hearings, examining witnesses, and drafting post-hearing briefs. At the conclusion of these sessions participants who have attended all four sessions will receive an NAA Certificate of Completion. Whether you are a seasoned arbitrator, a legal professional, or a prospective advocate, this plenary will inspire fresh perspectives on the evolving dynamics of labor arbitration and equip you with tools to adapt to its changing landscape. Moderator: 10:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. What happens to the case after the arbitration decision? Should arbitrators care? Should it affect the arbitration process? Moderator: Speakers: 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. Introduction: Speaker: 1:15 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. What do NAA members and advocates think about the use of artificial intelligence in labor arbitration? How will AI impact the labor and employment arbitration profession? Will modification of the Code of Professional Responsibility be necessary? Presentations will summarize the results of the recent AI survey of NAA members and advocates and other findings of the NAA AI Study Group, which was assisted in its deliberations by representatives from AAA, FMCS, Cornell, and Penn State. With all the attention being paid to the use of AI, the Academy and appointing organizations will need to decide if they should take a stand. Moderator: Speakers: 1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. A panel of experienced advocates and arbitrators will discuss current and often controversial issues arbitrated in the airline industry. How is the unpredictable and sometimes even volatile atmosphere in the sky reflected in the issues presented to a system board of arbitration? Moderator: Speakers: 1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Case Selection, Arbitrability, Burdens of Proof, and Hearing Prep (Attendees at all four Advocacy sessions will receive an NAA Certificate of Completion) Speakers: 2:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. Off-duty misconduct by public sector employees is a critical area of focus in arbitration, as it balances the individual's right to privacy with the employer's interest in maintaining public trust and workplace integrity. Arbitrators assess whether the off-duty behavior has a nexus to the employment relationship, such as harming the employer's reputation, undermining workplace harmony, or breaching ethical standards expected of public servants. In our session, our panel will examine both the nature of the nexus between off-duty conduct and the employment relationship as well as the current state of arbitral law involving off-duty misconduct. Moderator: Speakers: 3:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. 1960 was a period of big labor, big industry, railroads, and Big Steel. In that climate, the Supreme Court issued a trio of decisions that settled major questions about the nature – and power – of labor arbitration. The nickname, the Steelworkers Trilogy, stuck and it has been law since then. United Steelworkers of America v. American MFG. Co., United Steelworkers of America v. Enterprise Wheel & Car Corporation and United Steelworkers of America v. Warrior & Gulf Navigation Company wrote the law that supported arbitration as the accepted form of dispute resolution in a collective bargaining environment. The Trilogy also gave us key principles to govern arbitration: the importance of the “common law of the shop,” “system of self-government,” and substituting “peaceful settlement for the older regime of industrial conflict.” 1960 was a long time ago, but the important questions are still with us. Why do we arbitrate? Can we challenge a decision and, if yes, how? What happens in an arbitration that might give an unhappy party a reason to challenge this system and how arbitrators can avoid pushing the hot buttons. Moderator: Speakers: 3:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. Witnesses (Prep, Credibility, Cross Examination) Speakers: 4:30 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. 5:45 p.m. FRIDAY, May 2, 2025 Presidential Remarks: Program Announcements: 9:00 a.m. - 10:15 am A broad analysis/background of core ILO Conventions adopted worldwide. An international panel of experts will focus on the rationale and implementation of Convention 190, ILO expectations, ILO assistance, successes, and challenges. The panel will focus on access to remedies for complaints of workplace harassment and bullying specifically regarding sexual harassment. A comparative look at countries with excessive complaints of workplace harassment/sexual harassment and their adoption of different approaches to dealing with complaints. Moderator: Speaker: 10:15 a.m. -10:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Many people believe that arbitration is second-class justice in which employees seldom prevail. Our study comparing the results of AAA employment arbitration and federal court litigation found:
We are sharing our research with Congress in order to persuade them that employment arbitration should be preserved and reformed, not eliminated. Moderator: Speakers: 10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. How do employers and unions restore respectful, trusting working relationships after a period in which there has been bullying and harassment in the workplace? International experts will present a worldwide perspective of work/successes/challenges in this fascinating area of awareness and change. A deep dive into countries/agencies/academics that can show successes and lessons learned from this innovative approach to awareness and change. Moderator: Speakers: 10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Evidence/Objections; Past Practice Speakers: 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Speaker: 1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. A roundtable discussion among ADR experts and scholars with a wealth of experience in the recruitment, development and selection of neutrals will discuss the various initiatives they have undertaken to increase the inclusion and selection of diverse neutrals on the rosters of arbitrators and mediators. The roundtable will also explore the challenges involved in the implementation of DEI initiatives throughout the United States and Canada. Moderators: Speakers: 1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. The discussion will center on the potential impact of the new administration on the future of the Postal Service and best practices for arbitration hearing. Moderator: Speaker: 1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Oral Closings/Written Arguments Speakers: 3:00 p.m. 4:30 p.m. SATURDAY, May 3, 2025 Canadian arbitrators routinely wear two hats, slipping into mediator-mode in the midst of a proceeding at a pivotal moment, or even starting with mediation at the outset of the arbitration hearing. In Canada, these practices are widely supported by the community albeit not without some controversy. In the USA, not so much. This panel includes experienced practitioners who will assess the state of arbitrator-led mediation in Canada and the USA, and how American arbitral practice could evolve to add more of a mediation component. Moderator: 9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Discussion of the impact of common and not-so-common areas where arbitrators' practices vary. Examples include scheduling, pre-hearing matters, management of the hearing, evidentiary rulings, decision brevity/length, mediating before/during/after the hearing, and other areas of interest. Audience participation will be encouraged. Moderator: Speakers: 10:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Moderator: Speakers: 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. The days of dedicated labor writers are mostly behind us, with journalists now covering issues they may not fully grasp. As the National Academy of Arbitrators works to enhance the understanding of arbitration, correct common misconceptions in the media and communicate the vital role of arbitration in labor dispute resolution to the public, we invite you to attend a session that will sharpen your skills in crafting impactful messages for both the media and the broader public. Led by our Media and Communications Strategy Committee, alongside our partners at Common Ground Public Relations, this session will provide you with tools to effectively communicate the Academy’s messages while maintaining your neutrality and professionalism. Whether you are personally engaging with the media or simply want to understand how the Academy is addressing these challenges on behalf of the industry, this session is essential for all involved in the field. You will walk away with practical tools, including a messaging map, which will help you navigate complex, high-stakes discussions with confidence. We’ll cover key topics such as:
Join us for an engaging learning experience that will empower you to speak confidently, strategically and professionally on behalf of the arbitration community. Moderator: Speaker: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. |