Union-Side Representation

Dedicated Employment and Labor Attorneys Serving Chicago and Beyond

The employment and labor lawyers at Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca are dedicated to helping unions and their members protect their legal rights. Unions in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, education, and medicine, have recognized that we provide a comprehensive knowledge of employment and labor issues. We bring decades of combined experience to our union-side representation. Throughout Illinois and the nation, our skilled employment lawyers have guided clients through disputes regarding arbitration, contract administration, internal union matters, and more. Our Chicago union lawyers can help unions understand their legal rights and obligations, representing them before state and federal courts as well as the National Labor Relations Board.

Union-Side Representation

The broad range of potential employment and labor issues requires a knowledge of recent developments in the law, as well as a capacity to advocate on behalf of workers in different venues. Some disputes may be resolved without litigation, while others may require aggressive advocacy to secure an appropriate resolution. For example, unfair labor practice allegations may be heard before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

The NLRB enforces laws that ensure that employees are not restricted in their exercise of legal rights to form, join, or help labor organizations for collective bargaining purposes. As an independent federal agency, it conducts elections that determine whether employees should receive union representation. A group of employees may choose to form a union in order to protect the collective rights of the workers and improve their work-related conditions. Unions may represent factory workers, teachers, actors, and doctors, among other types of employees. Legal issues may arise when employers attempt to prevent workers from unionizing.

Unfair labor practice allegations may also be heard before the NLRB, as well as other courts. Unions may file a grievance if an employer fails to abide by the terms of the collective bargaining agreement. Often, these grievances are submitted for resolution through arbitration. An example of an unfair labor practice claim may be an employer’s refusal to share information that may help to bargain for a new contract. The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) sets forth obligations on behalf of employers, once a union has requested or demanded information.

Employers are required to bargain in good faith with unions. Negotiations often lead to a collective bargaining agreement, which sets forth labor conditions and details concerning wages and work hours. After the collective bargaining agreement is signed, the employer must follow its terms. In the event of a dispute, unions may pursue legal resolutions for their claims.

Consult Union Lawyers in the Chicago Area

At Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca, we provide the full scope of legal representation. Our Chicago union attorneys have helped many clients resolve labor and employment disputes in Illinois, including in Champaign, Springfield, Aurora, Rockford, and Quincy, as well as other areas of Cook, Kane, Sangamon, Champaign, Winnebago, and Adams Counties. For a initial consultation about your legal matter, call us at 312-724-5846 or contact us online. We also represent clients who need an employment discrimination attorney or guidance in other types of workplace disputes.