AWC hosted its Labor Relations Institute (LRI) online this year on May 5-7. Last year's LRI was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so it was the first chance for city and other public employer HR professionals to get together since LRI 2019 to have important discussions about labor relations and HR policies, get updates on new developments, and share ideas. Here, we give you the top five takeaways from this year’s conference. AWC thanks the over 400 attendees, presenters, and AWC Education staff for coming together to make this year’s conference a success.

Cities at the 2021 LRI conference received information on important policy and legal updates, pandemic-related workplace guidance, and learned important techniques for improving diversity and equity in your workforce and in society. These are the top five takeaways from the conference:

1. Equity: LRI’s keynote taught us that there are practical steps we can all take to create more equitable and inclusive workplaces and communities. LRI’s keynote speaker Dr. Caprice Hollins of Cultures Connecting, LLC gave a great talk about how to approach difficult conversations on race, equity, and culture. These conversations aren’t always easy; leading them the right way can ensure that people feel heard and that real progress occurs. In a related session, staff from the City of Renton discussed their ongoing efforts to build a more diverse city workforce through their city HR Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Tactical Plan.
2. Vaccines: There are a few key issues to consider as cities develop vaccine policies in their reopening plans. Getting people vaccinated is key to putting the pandemic behind us and adapting to a “new normal” in the workplace. Summit Law attorneys Laura Davis and Eva Sharf highlighted some important considerations as cities consider a variety of COVID vaccine mandates, exemptions, or incentive programs.
3. COVID protocols: Keeping workers and the public safe from COVID-19, while still running your city, has been a moving target over the last year. Adapting to life with COVID-19 was a hot topic at LRI, with several sessions dedicated in some way to helping city employers navigate the ever-changing landscape. Attendees had the chance to learn about vaccines, managing remote workers, lowering risk for at-home and hybrid employees, pandemic leave policies, and the emotional roller coaster ride that the last year has been.
4. Police reform: New police reforms will impact law enforcement bargaining. The 2021 legislature passed a number of police reforms in response to the racial justice protests that erupted last year following the killing of George Floyd. Summit Law’s Rod Younker and Otto Klein reviewed the new legislation and discussed the important implications for cities bargaining with police unions and the impacts to current and future CBAs.
5. New laws incoming: The Washington legislature wrapped up a surprisingly prolific pandemic session, with important implications for cities. AWC’s Candice Bock (assisted by yours truly) gave an overview of the unexpectedly busy 2021 legislative session and its implications for cities. Highlights include budgets, changes to the Paid Family & Medical Leave program, public health-related workplace safety policies, police reform, and the upcoming long-term care insurance program.

Many of this year’s sessions were recorded, and LRI attendees can access the recorded sessions and presentation materials on the conference’s eShow platform until August 4. If you didn’t get the chance to attend LRI, contact OnlineEducation@awcnet.org to request access to recorded content. LRI attendees may be eligible for HCRI, SHRM, CLE, and Certificate of Municipal Leadership credits.

Thanks again to all our presenters and AWC Education staff for making the 2021 Labor Relations Institute possible!