Labor Relations

Foster Swift attorneys have extensive experience in the representation of public and private employers in a wide range of labor relations and employment issues. We have been involved in labor relations matters affecting public employees since the adoption of the Michigan Public Employment Relations Act in 1965.

Through the years, Foster Swift attorneys have developed a unique ability to advocate on behalf of our public and private employer clients, while maintaining a reasoned perspective on labor relations. 

Highlights

• The negotiation of dozens of collective bargaining agreements with bargaining units representing police and fire units, supervisory employees, clerical/technical employees, and public works employees, as well as the bargaining of individual contracts with non-union employees
• The successful representation of public sector clients in Act 312 (police and fire arbitration) proceedings and in numerous grievance arbitrations involving issues of employee discipline and contract interpretation
• The adoption and administration of Police or Firefighter civil service ordinances
• The handling of Veterans Preference Act hearings
• The representation of public clients in matters before the Michigan Employment Relations Commission involving both representation questions and unfair labor practice allegations 

Representative Experience

• Assisted Clients with Large Scale Reductions in Force
• Negotiated Labor Agreement
• Successfully Negotiated Labor Contracts
• Complex Closure of Business Operations
• Settlement of OSHA Case: Fatality
• Unfair Labor Practice Defense
• Prevailed in Various Union Arbitrations Within Nursing Homes
• Successful Litigation in Public Utility Lawsuit
• Client Defense in Alleged Sex and Age Discrimination Lawsuit
• Success in Breach of Contract Claim
• Assisted Client in Termination of High Ranking Executive
• Successfully Went "Undercover" to Make Case More Effective
• Assisted Client in Decertification Election
• Successfully Negotiated Project Labor Agreement for MGM Grand Casino
• Client Defense in Alleged Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment and Sexual Stereotyping Lawsuit
• Federal District Court Bench Trial: Corporate Officers Found Liable for Withdrawal from Multi-Employer Benefit Fund

Publications & Alerts

• Labor Corner: 2011 Labor Law Changes Impact Municipalities, Foster Swift Municipal Law News, January 2012
• I-9 Compliance & E-Verify – A Potentially Usefull Tool, But Not A Substitute For A Comprehensive Compliance Policy, Foster Swift Agricultural Law Update, January 2012
• Efforts for More Union-Friendly Organizing Rules Continue, Foster Swift Employment, Labor & Benefits Quarterly, Winter 2011
• United States Department of Labor Proposed Rulemaking Regarding Child Labor in Agriculture Regulations, Foster Swift Agricultural Law Update, December 2011
• Employers May be Required to Post a Notice Advising Employees of the Right to Unionize, Foster Swift Employment, Labor & Benefits Quarterly, Fall 2011
• Governor Snyder Has Signed Legislation Changing the Process for Arbitration of Public Safety Labor Disputes, Foster Swift Employment, Labor & Benefits E-News, July 26, 2011

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