By: Amanda A. Sonneborn, Esq.
On May 16, 2013, Seyfarth Shaw held its first “Labor University” in its Chicago office. This one-day seminar brought together Seyfarth’s resident labor law experts with over 100 clients from around the country to discuss the basics of the National Labor Relations Act, as well as current enforcement trends at the National Labor Relations Board. The morning sessions focused on the labor law applicable to all employers; while the afternoon sessions focused on the unique issues confronted by unionized employers. The specific topics discussed included:
- The labor law issues that should be considered in every discipline and discharge decision;
- Ensuring that company policies and handbooks comply with the National Labor Relations Act;
- Understanding the legal issues involved in employee demonstrations, rallies, and walkouts;
- How to handle handbilling, picketing and trespass issues;
- Practical tips for responding to union information requests, grievances, and preparing for arbitrations;
- Mandatory subjects of bargaining and determining when an employer can change policies and procedures without bargaining with the union;
- Understanding collective bargaining agreements and making sense of provisions like zipper clauses, evergreen clauses, and successor clauses;
- Handling unfair labor practice charges;
- The labor law traps that exist after a contract has expired and before a new contract is negotiated, and
- Labor law issues involved in business transactions.
Seyfarth thanks all of its clients who attended for making this such a great event! We also know that many more clients expressed an interest in attending the Labor University, but we were at capacity for this event. Please let us know if you continue to be interested in attending a similar event in the future.