Union Attorneys in New York, NY

As union attorneys in New York, NY, we represent labor unions in a variety of matters. We advise unions in legal issues such as labor organizing (i.e., elections) collective bargaining agreement negotiations, unfair labor practices, and grievance handling.

Labor Organization

Union attorneys may handle legal issues with respect to labor organization, such as union elections and union memberships.

Collective Bargaining Agreement Negotiations

The collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is a negotiated contract between the labor union, representing the workers, and the employer that outlines the basic terms and conditions of employment and the responsibilities and rights of the labor union and employer.

Key terms and conditions in a CBA are wages and compensation, hours of work, benefits, works rules and conditions, seniority and promotion, grievance and dispute resolution process, union rights, discipline and termination, management rights, and duration and renewal.

Generally, managers and supervisors are not covered by the CBA because the managers represent the company and usually enjoy better pay and benefits. However, most CBAs would include a provision on the category of employees excluded from the CBA’s coverage, and this provision would control who and who are not covered by the CBA.

Unfair Labor Practices

Unfair labor practices are prohibited acts of both the employer and the workers in the context of labor relations.

For employers, it is prohibited to interfere with union activities and with employee rights concerning union activities, to retaliate against employees engaging in protected union activities, and to engage in lock outs that discourage union activities.

For labor unions, it is prohibited to interfere with the employee’s rights to join or not join a union and to collect excessive or discriminatory fees.

Union attorneys provide legal advice to labor unions on causes of action and remedies in cases of unfair labor practices committed by both the employer and the union.

Grievance Handling

The grievance procedure is a mechanism provided in the CBA to handle complaints of the workers against the employer and other CBA violations. The union attorney’s role is to represent the workers’ interests and rights with the employer.

Labor relations are a complex matter. It is important to be represented by experienced union attorneys in issues relating to and between labor unions, the employers, and the workers. Should you need assistance in union matters, we, at the Law Offices of Albert Goodwin, are here for you. Our offices are in New York, NY. You can call us at 212-233-1233 or send us an email at [email protected].