Emotionally charged, highly visible and almost always economically significant, labor relations continue to redefine the employee-management relationship.
Despite declines in the union movement, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) continues to tilt in labor’s favor, expanding the definition of legally protected activity and making it easier to organize. Unions are trying new tactics to rebuild membership and power, including social media and PR smear campaigns. And they frequently scrutinize employer policies and try to use the NLRB and government agencies to access union-free workplaces.
Every industry has different workforce needs. Our experience across sectors allows us to anticipate and prepare you for potential labor issues. Whether you have a unionized or union-free workforce, we strategize with you to minimize the impact of labor relations issues such as:
We take a balanced approach—combining negotiation, conciliation and, when appropriate, aggressive representation. We have served as lead negotiators in collective bargaining opposite some of the largest and most aggressive labor unions in North America. Our job is to help our clients meet their business goals without compromising employee loyalty, enthusiasm or productivity.
Newsday | February 25, 2021
Long Island Labor & Employment counsel David Tauster is included in this column of notable Long Island executive news for his promotion to counsel.
The Recorder (California) | January 28, 2021
Los Angeles Project Finance & Public Finance partner-elect Jade Turner-Bond and San Francisco Labor & Employment partner-elect Rachel Conn were included in this roundup of notable legal moves for their promotions to partner.
The Deal | January 27, 2021
This article on Tegna’s expansion into the fast-growing podcast market through its acquisition of Locked On Podcast Network mentions Washington, D.C. partners John Partigan and Sean Clancy and Rochester partner Brian Kopp, all of the Corporate group, for representing Tegna. The deal team also included Rochester Labor & Employment counsel Todd Shinaman; and Washington, D.C. associate Pierce Han and Boston associate Bohao Zhou, both in the Corporate group.
The Daily Journal | January 22, 2021
San Francisco associate Jade Butman and Los Angeles associate Andrea Chavez, both of the Labor & Employment group, contributed this article on the California law classifying workers as either independent contractors or employees, and the law’s impact on the gig economy.
Providence Business News | January 22, 2021
This article covering Rhode Island’s push to double the number of daily COVID-19 tests in the state quotes Providence office managing partner Andrew Prescott, of the Labor & Employment group, on a R.I. statute that could potentially restrict employers from requiring tests as a condition of employment.
Rochester Business Journal | January 20, 2021
Rochester Labor & Employment partner Kim Harding contributed this article for her outlook on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and what’s top-of-mind for employers in the year ahead.
Law360 | January 15, 2021
In this analysis of the California Supreme Court’s opinion that Dynamex applies retroactively, San Francisco Labor & Employment associate Hillary Baca provides commentary on potential implications for pending worker-classification cases as well as those coming down the pipeline.
Rochester Business Journal | January 15, 2021
Rochester Labor & Employment counsel Todd Shinaman is quoted in this article on the Department of Labor’s recent rule clarifying the standard for employee vs. independent contractor. Todd is quoted on the best practice for businesses to take a holistic view of employee definitions by other government agencies, such as the IRS, and to take a wait-and-see approach with the incoming administration.
Bloomberg Radio | December 16, 2020
Boston Labor & Employment partner Jeff Gilbreth joined Thursday’s “Baystate Business“ radio program to discuss whether employers can and should mandate that employees get a COVID-19 vaccine in order to return to the office.
Engineering News-Record | December 10, 2020
In this article on the workplace requirements for contractors and other employers in the construction industry, San Francisco Labor & Employment associate Rachel Conn is quoted for her outlook on Cal/OSHA’s definition of “exposed workplace” and the potential overlap of notifications requirements with AB 685.
KNX-AM | December 10, 2020
San Francisco Labor & Employment associate Rachel Conn appears as a guest in this radio news segment to discuss the dilemma employers are facing and what they should consider—Cal/OSHA, California sick leave laws and other advisories—as they navigate how to provide a safe workplace for their employees during the holidays.
Spectrum News | December 09, 2020
In this television news segment on a bill introduced in the New York State Assembly to make the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory, Rochester Labor & Employment partner Kim Harding is quoted for her outlook on the bill’s enforcement mechanism.
The Wall Street Journal | December 07, 2020
In an article covering what employers can and cannot enforce when employees are outside of the workplace, San Francisco Labor & Employment associate Rachel Conn explains how off-duty conduct laws in some states and union contracts could prevent employers from taking action against employees.
Law360 | December 04, 2020
This article covering a recent Move the Needle Fund town hall highlights NP’s “Mansfield Rule for workflow allocation“ and quotes Professional Personnel Partner and Providence Labor & Employment partner Stacie Collier on how our firm is building a more inclusive culture by equalizing access to work opportunities for all lawyers.
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin | December 03, 2020
Chicago Labor & Employment counsel Frank Saibert contributed this article analyzing the National Labor Relations Board’s recent request for public input whether to limit the use of Scabby the Rat and banners against secondary employers.
WHEC NBC-10 | November 02, 2020
In this broadcast segment on New York State’s new coronavirus regulations regarding interstate travel, which replaces the 14-day quarantine for travelers, Rochester Labor & Employment partner Kim Harding is quoted for her outlook on how the new regulations are more manageable for businesses.
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin | October 20, 2020
Chicago Labor & Employment counsel Frank Saibert contributed this article analyzing a National Labor Relations Board ruling to overturn a decision preventing a trade association from removing posts on its Facebook group, noting that the trade association’s registry members are not actually employees.
LinkedIn Workforce Insights | October 07, 2020
This article, covering how organizations can reduce burnout risks among employees, cites NP for “bucking the trend” by focusing on advancement and promotion even during these challenging times, and quotes Professional Personnel Partner and Providence Labor & Employment partner Stacie Collier on plans for the firm’s 2021 partner class.
HR Magzine | September 28, 2020
Chicago Complex Commercial Disputes partners Rich Tilghman and John Ruskusky, and associate Henry Caldwell contributed this article, based on their recent blog post, on the rise in putative class actions in Illinois by employees against entities that employ biometric technology.
Law360 | September 24, 2020
This article on notable pandemic-related wage and hour issues quotes San Francisco Labor & Employment associate Jade Butman on whether employers would be on the hook for the time that workers spend adhering to building safety protocols.
Law360 | September 16, 2020
This article, which examines last week’s Southern District of New York judgment striking down the U.S. Department of Labor’s joint employment rule, quotes San Francisco Labor & Employment associate Jade Butman on the complexities of multiple layers for employment law compliance with respect to the National Labor Relations Act, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and FLSA.
Law360 | September 09, 2020
Labor & Employment deputy group leader and Chicago partner Brian Alcala contributed this article on the National Labor Relations Board’s recent guidance on COVID-19-related labor law violations against employers in these uncertain times.
Daily Record | August 12, 2020
This article on a recent decision by the National Labor Relations Board extensively quotes Rochester Labor & Employment partner Stephanie Caffera for her related outlook and the application of protected concerted activity on social media.
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin | July 16, 2020
Chicago Labor & Employment partner Frank Saibert contributed this article analyzing a recent National Labor Relations Board ruling to overturn a decision allowing newly recognized unions an opportunity to negotiate over certain disciplinary action taken against employees that occurred before the parties finalized their initial labor contract.
Law360 | June 01, 2020
Rhode Island’s high court affirmed that NP client W.B. Mason did not violate employment laws in firing a supply driver who refused a drug test. The article mentions Providence office managing partner Andrew Prescott, of the Labor & Employment group, for representing the office supply company.
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin | May 14, 2020
Chicago Labor and Employment partner Frank Saibert contributed this article analyzing a National Labor Relations Board decision which found that, under appropriate circumstances, employers can prohibit employees from discussing certain internal company investigations without violating the National Labor Relations Act.
Chicago Tribune | March 25, 2020
Labor and Employment deputy practice group leader Brian Alcala in Chicago talks about the advice he is giving employers whose employees feel unsafe reporting for work during the coronavirus outbreak.
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin | August 28, 2019
Chicago Labor and Employment partner Frank Saibert authored this article about a National Labor Relations Board case related to a union member who was fired by her employer, Electrolux.
Los Angeles Daily Journal | July 10, 2019
Partner Ben Kim, counsel Alicia Anderson and associate Irene Scholl-Tatevosyan, all of the Labor and Employment group in Los Angeles, co-wrote this contributed article. The authors analyze the impact of a California Supreme Court ruling that drivers for Dynamex, a package delivery company, are employees rather than independent contractors.
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin | July 08, 2019
Chicago Labor & Employment partner Frank Saibert wrote this contributed article analyzing an ongoing matter before the National Labor Relations Board concerning the ability of organized labor to use large inflatable animals as part of their worksite picketing activities.
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin | May 29, 2019
Chicago Labor and Employment partner Frank Saibert wrote this article analyzing a case before the National Labor Relations Board, which has taken a newly restrictive view on what constitutes “protected concerted activity” in the workplace.
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin | March 13, 2019
Chicago Labor & Employment partner Frank Saibert wrote this contributed article analyzing a Seventh Circuit decision that allowed a Wisconsin town to invoke its signage ban to exterminate a giant inflatable balloon rat displayed by a local labor union.
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin | August 01, 2018
Chicago labor and employment partner Frank Saibert authored this column about a recent National Labor Relations Board decision regarding Weingarten rights which allow union-represented employees, who might be facing discipline, to have a union representative present for any questioning related to the matter.
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin | March 27, 2018
Chicago labor and employment partner Frank Saibert wrote this contributed column on a National Labor Relations Board dispute between an area hotel and an employee/union organizer who was fired following a demonstration.
Partner
Practice Group Leader, Labor & Employment
Phone: 516-832-7613
Partner
Phone: 213-629-6000
Senior CounselOffice Managing Partner, Providence
Leader, Labor Relations
Phone: 401-454-1016
