LABOR NEGOTIATIONS AND CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION

Firm attorneys have experience bargaining with both certificated/licensed and classified personnel represented by the Ohio Education Association, Ohio Federation of Teachers, Professionals Guild of Ohio, United Faculty/AFT, Ohio Association of Public School Employees, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Firemen and Oilers, and Teamsters AFL/CIO. We assist boards of education in bargaining in any number of ways depending upon the Board’s desires, whether by direct traditional representation at the bargaining table, as consultants (including contract/proposal writers for board representatives), or in interest-based and other less traditional forms of negotiations.

Regarding negotiations, we are available to assist school boards and administrators in:

Conducting a comprehensive review and analysis of the labor contract;

Drafting bargaining proposals;

Identifying board priorities;

Acting as chief spokesperson at the bargaining table;

Dealing with recalcitrant union bargaining teams;

Creating a suitable bargaining environment;

Apprizing the board of progress at the table; and

Working within board parameters.

Once a final agreement is reached, we are available to assist the boards in any contract administration or language interpretation issues which may arise. Specifically, we can assist:

By serving as labor relations counsel;

By providing in-service and workshops;

By adjusting grievances through arbitration; and

By litigating unfair labor practicing charges at the State Employment Relations Board (SERB).

If there are work stoppages our experience and leadership in strike management serves as an important asset for school boards.