Labor Management Relations

Railway Labor Act (RLA)

For nearly 80 years, the federal Railway Labor Act (RLA) has guaranteed, even in times of high labor-management animus, the continuation of critical shipping and transportation services within the United States. While many firms view RLA work as a subset of their labor practice, Littler understands the Act’s unique and strategic importance, and uses it to help clients enhance their competitiveness and further their business objectives. Over the last 60-plus years, the Firm has frequently appeared  before the National Mediation Board in numerous matters, handling everything from routine elections and minor disputes to major grievances requiring Super Mediation and Congressional intervention.

Every day, Littler attorneys work with airlines, derivative carriers, fix-based operators, and other captive vendors, helping them understand their obligations under the Act, protecting their RLA status, negotiating collective bargaining agreements, and winning and preventing union elections. The Firm assists them in working with bankers and acquisition counsel to identify opportunities and to structure operations in a way that removes jurisdictional ambiguities and maximizes the combined or new entity’s competitiveness. Whether a client is facing a lawsuit or grievance, contemplating concessionary bargaining, seeking RLA protection, facing a union organizing campaign, or looking for strategic advice ahead of a merger or acquisition, Littler is the labor counsel with the experience and nuanced understanding of the RLA that they need to get the legal and business results they want.