Labor Management Relations

Although the percentage of America's unionized workers is at an all-time low, the labor movement is still very much a powerful international force that wields enormous influence over the nation and its employers, organized or otherwise. Almost every business strategy or decision, from mergers and acquisitions to downsizing and outsourcing, has the potential to be affected by labor issues.

For more than six decades, Littler has represented management in its dealings with organized employees and their union representatives, serving as counterpoint to the world's most powerful labor organizations. Littler's Labor Practice Group is comprised of over 150 attorneys, many of whom began their legal careers at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

As business partners, Littler attorneys take a strategic approach to every engagement, helping employers in:

• Counseling businesses on union avoidance strategies
• managing labor representation elections, including union decertification;
• negotiating union contracts and collective bargaining agreements;
• preparing strike responses;
• arbitrating grievances;
• dealing with issues pertaining to public sector labor relations acts, including the federal Railway Labor Act (RLA); and
• managing the effectiveness of corporate campaigns and union campaigns.

Littler attorneys have represented employers before thousands of NLRB and state labor relations agency hearings and arbitrations, and have regularly defended and pursued clients' labor interests in the federal courts. Littler advises employers which have no experience with unions, as well as employers which have decades-old, mature bargaining relationships. Whether an employer is confronted with mass picketing outside its facility or has just learned that a union is trying to organize its employees, Littler has the depth of experience to guide management to advantageous, legal and practical solutions.

To learn more about the Firm's capabilities and experience, contact your Littler attorney or the Labor Management Relations Practice Group Chairs:

John M. Skonberg
James M. L. Ferber