Labor Relations

Practice Contacts

Labor Relations

Since the National Labor Relations Act was enacted in 1935, Taft’s Labor Relations practice has been representing public and private employers, both large and small, in the important relationship between management and unions.

Whether facing a union organizing campaign, bargaining for a new labor agreement, or trying to remain competitive under the terms of an existing contract, management’s approach must be considered at every step. And because all employers are increasingly expected to accomplish more with less, innovative solutions are often necessary. We provide thoughtful, creative advice to the employer in collective bargaining, union organizing campaigns, NLRB cases, strike and lockout activities, grievance arbitration, labor litigation, and all other aspects of traditional labor law.

Taft’s Labor Relations practice is recognized in publications such as Best Lawyers in America, Chambers USA: America’s Leading Business Lawyers, and Super Lawyers. These accolades follow upon the legacy that began with the Labor department’s founder, J. Mack Swigert, who worked with the late Senator Robert A. Taft to level the playing field for employers with the Taft-Hartley amendments to the National Labor Relations Act.

Labor Dispute Resolution

Our team has a proven record of success in NLRB hearings and unfair labor practice proceedings and has experience handling matters before the National Mediation Board. We routinely arbitrate labor matters and resolve myriad grievances and labor disputes, including strikes, picketing, protest activity, and property incursions.

Labor Law Counseling

We help employers develop and implement sophisticated and creative strategies for dealing with labor unions. Taft’s long history representing employers with unionized workforces includes substantial representation with benefits issues unique to an employer’s union relationship, including potential withdrawal liability, MEPPA liability issues, and other matters relating to rules required of Taft-Hartley plans.

Collective Bargaining, Contract Enforcement, & Union Relations

We help negotiate and reform national, regional, and local collective bargaining agreements as well as resolve challenging, bet-the-company bargaining situations. Having dealt effectively with the most aggressive major labor unions, our team is on call to protect employer interests and operations.

Union Organizing & Corporate Campaign Defense

We keep pace with evolving unionization tactics such as corporate campaigns and top down initiatives. These tactics require carefully tailored responses, and our attorneys have helped develop comprehensive programs to address these aggressive, nontraditional approaches that have become common.

Public Sector Labor Relations

Labor relations in the public sector can pose other difficulties for employers. The focus on serving the general public, as opposed to the private sector’s profit-driven management style, can significantly alter an employer’s priorities when faced with a union organization campaign or with collective bargaining. Further, the long-term budget forecasting models often used in the private sector may be incompatible with a budgeting system controlled by a legislature or other third party, creating unique challenges when trying to forecast future revenues in connection with bargaining decisions. State and local constitutions and charters frequently create unique challenges to these matters and require the “boots on the ground” expertise for which Taft is known. We have a long history of representing cities, counties, villages, school boards, universities, and other public institutions in successfully managing the unique challenges and dynamics of a public sector bargaining relationship.