Union Issues
Our lawyers have long provided counsel to employers and represented them in a broad range of traditional labor law matters in connection with union organizing drives, collective bargaining, labor contract administration, decertification proceedings and in unfair labor practices before the National Labor Relations Board.
Collective Bargaining
Members of our practice group have acted as chief spokesperson in collective bargaining with numerous unions and have provided effective behind-the-scenes counsel to those employers who choose to handle their own collective bargaining. We regularly provide the following services:
- Critique the union’s proposals
- Draft the employer proposals
- Act as spokesperson at the bargaining table or advise behind the scenes
- Develop a strategy to ensure the negotiated agreement meets business needs
- Manage communications with employees and the media
- Provide experienced representation at mediation/conciliation
- Provide legal representation at the labor board hearings
Mediation and Arbitration
The practice group has handled hundreds of disputes concerning the interpretation of collective bargaining agreements. Many matters can be resolved through negotiation and mediation. Others require resolution before an independent arbitrator. This practice group also handles interest arbitration cases that define the terms of a collective bargaining agreement.
Labor Litigation
We represent employers in unfair labor practice proceedings, in injunction proceedings, in grievance and interest arbitration proceedings, in union decertification efforts and in appellate work relating to the enforcement of NLRB decisions.
Experience
- Extensive labor arbitration experience in all areas of labor law including wages and benefits, contract interpretation, staggered shift, fighting, infertility coverage, sick leave and PTO banks, patient safety, food safety, layoffs, terminations, arbitrability, discipline, illegal drugs, disability issues, FMLA, and leave issues.
- Precedent-setting May 2004 decision by the NLRB dismissing class action ULP involving question of prior notice of concerted action by non-unionized nurses.
- Routinely counsel clients on union representation elections and pre-election organization issues.
- Substantial litigation experience before NLRB including issues of representation, scope of bargaining units, decertification petitions and unfair labor practice charges.