Since the firm began, our clients have come to expect practical, constructive advice that considers their best interests.
Education Law: Labor Relations
Our attorneys represent school boards in all aspects of labor relations, including contract negotiations, mediation, interest arbitration, grievance arbitration and other dispute resolution. We customarily serve as a spokesperson in collective bargaining with teachers, administrators and non-certified staff. The firm maintains a database of information that is needed to address the statutory criteria that govern these negotiations. As ardent advocates for our clients, we prepare evidence in support of the school district’s position, crafted to show the primary factors considered during arbitration under the Teacher Negotiations Act and the Municipal Employee Relations Act, including the municipality’s ability to pay and the public’s best interests. In carrying out this work, we are guided by our clients’ objectives.
We are called upon on a daily basis to assist school district administrators in carrying out the terms of the negotiated labor contracts. We interpret the contract provisions in light of the factual context that is presented and help the administrators devise a course of action.
When the school district is contemplating changes in employee working conditions, we advise the board and the administration about whether the school board has an obligation to bargain with its unions before implementing the changes. Issues that typically come up include changes in insurance providers or plan provisions, revisions to job descriptions, organizational changes and sub-contracting of bargaining unit work.
When labor disputes are advanced to formal complaints or grievances, we defend school boards before the State Board of Labor Relations, the State Board of Mediation and Arbitration, the American Arbitration Association and other similar administrative agencies as well as handling cases in the state and federal courts.
