Approach
The firm represents employers in all facets of labor relations. Our approach melds the decades of experience of labor lawyers and non-attorney professionals, all of whom have had leadership positions in labor relations and personnel for public agencies. We are not just advocates; we are also colleagues with and advisors to labor relations and personnel professionals and their in-house attorneys in connection with labor relations, PERB processes, discipline, and grievance/arbitrations.
Our negotiators have wide-ranging experience in impasse resolution procedures, such as mediation, fact-finding and interest arbitration. Throughout negotiations and impasse resolution processes, our multi-disciplinary approach utilizes financial experts, operational experts, and, if necessary, effective public relations strategies to achieve workable settlements.
Services
- Advice regarding union organizing and campaigns, “card checks,” and bargaining unit disputes
- Proceedings before PERB and the NLRB
- Negotiating Labor Peace Agreements
- Unfair (labor) practice charges
- Negotiations
- Mediation
- Fact-finding
- Interest arbitrations
- Grievance arbitration
- Structural changes in retirement and health plans
- Responding to work stoppages and strikes, including injunctive relief proceedings.
- Labor market “comparability” issues.
We are here to help you
Find the best fit for you out of our top-notch attorneys and consultants.
Examples of Our Recent Work
Concessionary Negotiations
Successfully handling difficult contract negotiations in multiple jurisdictions where the public agency is seeking concessions from unions.
AB 506 Negotiations and Mediation
Working collaboratively with clients, unions, bankruptcy counsel and consultants in navigating AB 506 and Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection.
Pension/OPEB Reform
Advising public agencies on the complexities of dealing with unfunded pension and OPEB liabilities, including advising on ballot initiatives.
Fact-Finding
Since the passage of AB 646 in 2012, we have handled many complex and difficult fact-finding proceedings.
Pay Policy & Benefits Negotiations
Developing strategies for effecting employer-wide changes in health benefits, pay policy and retirement benefits with multiple bargaining units simultaneously, to maintain employer-wide strategic goals while complying with good faith bargaining requirements.
Strikes Against Health Care Agencies
Responding to multiple strikes by “essential employees” in the health-care field, including seeking injunctive relief before PERB and the court.
Police Unions Negotiations
Addressing public safety emergencies by negotiating agreements with police unions regarding staffing patterns and scheduling.
Negotiating Labor Peace Agreements
For Private Employers under various state and local laws