Much has been made of the decline in union membership in the United States over the last several decades, but employers underestimate union influence in the workplace at their peril. Today, the labor movement has adapted its mission and activities to maximize its leverage in a service-based economy. Employers must prepare to engage with a workforce increasingly mobilized around wages, hours, employment terms, and benefits—matters that are fundamental to the short- and long-term profitability of companies.
Cozen O’Connor represents a broad spectrum of private and public sector employers in labor relations and disputes. For our unionized clients, we handle unfair labor practice proceedings and grievance arbitrations; negotiate individual and multi-employer collective bargaining agreements; prepare for and respond to picket lines, strikes, lockouts, and other economic campaigns; and work with employers during union election campaigns. We also help employers avoid unionization through positive employee relations and regain nonunion status when employees indicate they no longer wish to be union-represented. We are experienced labor litigators, appearing frequently before federal, state, and appellate courts; federal agencies and departments (such as the EEOC, NLRB, DOL, IRS, OSHA, and ICE); state agencies and departments; and arbitration panels.
For our unionized clients, our labor practice is committed to fostering constructive management-labor relations over the long term. Our focus is on protecting our clients’ interests, with a recognition that a working relationship with union counterparts is often a desired goal.
Cozen O’Connor’s traditional labor attorneys demonstrate a real commitment to understanding and supporting their clients’ business goals. We think not only about the technical legal matters, but also about how labor issues connect in a practical sense to business operations and strategy. Our attorneys manage labor relations with a clear eye toward the bottom line.
SERVICE AREAS
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Defend clients in unfair labor practice proceedings and handle grievance arbitrations
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Negotiate individual and multi-employer collective bargaining agreements
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Prepare for and respond to picketing, strikes, lockouts and other economic tactics
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Work with employers to avoid unionization through positive employee relations or to regain nonunion status when employees no longer wish to be union-represented
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Advise clients on the labor relations consequences of business events, including mergers, spin-offs, acquisitions, and bankruptcies
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Represent employers in significant labor-related litigations, mediations, and arbitrations