Labor Law

The traditional labor practice at Ascent has vast experience in all areas of employer’s interactions with unions and the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Whether management’s goal is to remain union-free, to develop and maintain a positive relationship with a union, or to take a particular stance with an already unionized workforce, employers need experienced attorneys who can help them traverse the often rough waters of labor relations.

Ascent’s traditional labor attorneys assist clients in crafting strategic labor relations approaches for their unique circumstances. Representing clients from small private companies with just a handful of unionized employees to large public companies staving off unionization efforts across the country, we bring strong and steady hands to the bargaining table and also frequently appear on our clients’ behalf before the NLRB and in state and federal courts. Importantly, we also maintain strong and positive working relationships with many unions themselves, providing our clients with a balanced and less oppositional perspective on workforce relationships. These relationships span unions in a wide array of industry sectors across the United States.

We assist with all manner of labor law issues at the local, state, and federal levels. These include:

  • Breach of collective bargaining agreements

  • Collective bargaining

  • Grievances and arbitrations under union contracts

  • Labor litigation

  • Managing existing union relationships

  • New facilities, plant closings, and consolidations

  • Project labor agreements

  • State and local labor peace ordinances

  • Strikes, picketing, and secondary boycotts

  • The implications of social media and other evolving technologies on the unionized workplace

  • Unfair labor practice charges

  • Union avoidance strategies and training

  • Union organizing and decertification campaigns

Finally, Ascent also advises unionized clients involved in acquisitions, divestitures, and other business transactions, including issues related to successor employer claims.

When conflicts arise, Ascent’s team helps unionized clients navigate NLRB investigations, complex labor arbitrations, administrative hearings, and appeals. Our significant experience also includes defending clients against unfair labor practice charges and other matters before the NLRB and state public employment relations boards and commissions.