Labor unions fight for workers by negotiating good wages, pressuring for safe working conditions, and fighting against unfair treatment.
However, many legal problems confront unions, including disputes over contracts, unfair labor practices, and obscure regulations.
Whether your union is in the midst of a contract negotiation, workplace disagreement, or courtroom battle, the right attorneys can make all the difference. Visit Hach & Rose, LLP, for legal assistance in dealing with even the most complicated matters. The firm, founded by Gregory Hach and Michael Rose, has dealt with a considerable number of cases relating to unions. In addition to union-related issues, the firm also handles personal injury cases, mass torts, work injuries, and more.
The sections below discuss the reasons why legal representation is vital for union-related cases.
Legal Obligations and Fair Representation
Labor unions are required by law to fairly represent all workers in a non-discriminatory fashion and in good faith, meaning they must negotiate contracts, handle grievances, and make decisions in ways that benefit all members, not a selected few.
If a union fails to do these, workers or regulatory agencies like the National Labor Relations Board can take legal action.
The role of a labor attorney is to keep the unions in compliance with the laws for fair representation, advise them in various disputes, and represent them in court against any litigation.
Complex Negotiations and Legal Expertise
Collective bargaining is the lifeline of unions, but negotiating wages, benefits, and working conditions can be tough, especially when employers push back. A labor lawyer helps the unions in such negotiations by ensuring that the contracts drawn are within the labor laws and that fair terms are negotiated.
They also help draft clear contract language to prevent future disputes and represent unions in mediation or arbitration if conflicts arise.
Such legal support becomes important when employers use every conceivable unfair tactic to break labor laws and weaken the union’s influence. With a licensed attorney, labor unions are adequately positioned to bargain from a strategic position and, in turn, offer the best outcomes for the members.
Legal Dispute and Litigation Management
Labor unions are often involved in legal disputes with employers, government agencies, and even their own members. They typically grapple with issues like:
- Allegations of unfair labor practices (such as taking revenge on workers or refusing to bargain honestly).
- Breaches of employment law, like fights over wages or cases of unfair firing.
- Making sure contracts are followed, so employers stick to the deals made in collective bargaining agreements.
With a labor lawyer by their side, unions can skillfully navigate these conflicts and protect the rights of their members. This is particularly true when it comes to legal issues surrounding strikes, such as injunctions or employer retaliation.
In such scenarios, unions frequently require legal expertise to defend their decisions, fight against unjust employer conduct, or contest unfavorable judgments. A lawyer can help navigate these disputes efficiently, ensuring that the union’s rights and its members’ interests are protected.
Internal Legal Departments and External Counsel
Many large national and international unions have in-house legal teams that provide legal guidance. These lawyers take care of contract talks and worker disagreements and ensure the rules are being followed. But smaller unions that don’t have their own legal teams might have to bring in outside labor lawyers for particular cases or tricky negotiations. And even unions that do have their own legal teams might still bring in outside lawyers when they’re dealing with really specific legal problems, like pension rules, healthcare laws, or fights in federal court. External labor lawyers can also give a new way of looking at complicated cases and help come up with legal plans.
Featured Photo by Pavel Danilyuk
