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
Recent Blog Posts
- The Return of the Unpaid Internship
- Health Care Employers Not Required to Post NLRB Notice Until Further Decision from the Courts
- Health Facilities Must Display Notice about Employees' Organizing Rights
- What Every Michigan Employer Should Know About Occupational Safety and Health in the Workplace
- Laid-off teacher says school district didn’t follow evaluation process — and court agrees
- Are You Paying Your Employees Enough to Keep Them?
- UAW Rips Off Employees Twice in Chrysler Fiasco
- Employers Beware – Employees May Lawfully Record Workplace Discussions and Activities
- Contractors Face Jail Time for Worker Fatalities
- Supervisor's One Time Use of Racial Slur may be Very Expensive
Publications & Alerts
- The Difficult Intersection of Workers’ Compensation, FMLA and ADA when an Employee gets Sick or Injured, October 2018 Employment Labor & Benefits News, October 1, 2018
- Michigan Legislature Repeals Prevailing Wage Law, June 2018 Employment Labor & Benefits Law News E-Blast, June 8, 2018
- Intentional Tort Exception to Michigan Workers' Compensation Act – Court of Appeals Reaffirms High Standard, May 2018 Employment Labor & Benefits Law News, May 31, 2018
- Are Interns Injured on the Job Entitled to Michigan Workers’ Compensation Benefits?, May 2018 Employment Labor & Benefits Law News, May 29, 2018
- U.S. Supreme Court Rules Employers can Prohibit Employees from Filing Class Action Lawsuits, May 2018 Employment Labor & Benefits Law News E-Blast, May 24, 2018
- State's High Court Affirms Teachers can Leave their Union at Any Time, Strengthens Right-to-Work, April 2018 Employment Labor & Benefits Law News E-Blast, April 3, 2018
News
- Three Foster Swift Attorneys Named to dbusiness 2019 Top Lawyers, November 14, 2018
- Mamat Named to ACG Detroit Board of Directors, September 24, 2018
- 31 Foster Swift Attorneys Selected to 2018 Michigan Super Lawyers and “Rising Stars” Lists, September 10, 2018
- Michigan Court of Appeals Reiterates That Worker’s Compensation Claims Are the Exclusive Remedy for Injured Employees, Detroit Legal News, May 1, 2018
- Employment Attorney Re-elected as Chairman, dbusiness, March 27, 2018
- 44 Foster Swift Attorneys Named to 2016 Best Lawyers in America® Roster, August 21, 2015
- Foster Swift attorneys author human resources publication, May 1, 2013
Events
- Your Employee is Hurt, but is it FMLA, ADA or Workers Comp?, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, March 7, 2019
- No, that Employee is NOT an Independent Contractor, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, January 31, 2019
- "A Swinging Pendulum or Course Corrections: Recent Cases and Upcoming Changes", 26th Annual Bernard Gottfried Memorial Labor Law Symposium, October 11, 2018
- Why Worry About Unions Under the Trump Administration?, American Society of Employers (ASE), August 9, 2018
- Hiring, Investigating and Discipline/Discharge in the Law, Foster Swift: Developing Labor Law Update, May 9, 2018
- Hiring, Investigating and Discipline/Discharge in the Law, Foster Swift: Developing Labor Law Update, February 7, 2018
- Labor Preparedness Seminar, Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc., April 28, 2015