Labor Management Relations

Grievances and Arbitration

The grievance and arbitration provisions of collective bargaining agreements are intended to provide swift and relatively inexpensive resolution of disputes between employers and unions. Grievance resolutions and arbitration awards can often have long-lasting and widespread impact on an employer’s operations.

Every day, the labor attorneys at Littler partner with labor relations managers and in-house labor counsel to assist in every step of the grievance and arbitration process, from internal evaluation of grievances to their final resolution. Littler attorneys assist employers in analyzing the impact of grievances; selecting arbitrators; developing arbitration strategies; handling the preparation, examination, and cross examination of witnesses; and preparing briefs. Littler’s knowledge of and relationships with arbitrators across the country provide a distinct benefit during the arbitrator research and selection process, which can be key to the successful outcome of a case. 

The Firm has taken literally thousands of grievances to arbitration and approaches each hearing as if it were a trial, rapidly and efficiently assembling the arbitration team and the resources demanded by each situation. When necessary, the Firm is available to bring suit to enforce favorable arbitration awards and to vacate unfavorable ones.

Regardless of the situation, Littler works to make the grievance and arbitration process the fast, efficient, and cost-effective way to settle disputes that it is intended to be.