Labor Management Relations

Collective Bargaining

Faced with stiff competition from abroad, and consolidation and rising healthcare costs at home, the nation’s unionized businesses are under increasing pressure to get the most flexibility and cost control from their collectively bargained labor contracts.

Littler has more than 60 years of experience negotiating union contracts on behalf of management, as well as a long history with every major international union. The Firm understands that the collective bargaining process is a powerful strategic tool that, when used effectively, can both manage costs and give businesses the flexibility they need to compete. From serving as chief spokesperson at the collective bargaining table to working behind the scenes with both private employers and public municipalities, the Firm ensures that the client’s collective bargaining strategy is executed.

Littler’s labor attorneys assist clients in analyzing labor costs; developing and analyzing alternative compensation and benefit plans; developing bargaining goals and preparing bargaining proposals; developing and implementing bargaining strategies, including the use of multi-employer bargaining; analyzing vulnerability to union economic pressure and developing strategies for countering such pressure, including developing contingency plans in the event of strike lockout or corporate campaigns; and developing strategies for communication with employees, customers, suppliers, the public, and media concerning the employer’s bargaining stance.

With hundreds of years of cumulative experience negotiating collective bargaining agreements, Littler knows how to create leverage to maintain or achieve the most flexible contract possible.