New Yorkers who are public employees and union members and have experienced the difficulty with labor relations will inevitably understand that not all negotiations to improve work conditions and benefits will go as smoothly as they would like. Difficulty is frequently part of the process and if the sides cannot come to an agreement, the office of collective bargaining (OCB) will step in with assistance. One way in which they assist is with impasse panels. Understanding the basics of what impasse panels do is key when a union is about to be part of that process with the employer. As always, legal help is critical for the union to be adequately prepared and protected.
Understanding labor law and economic strikers
News stories about workers having a strike are everywhere in New York and across the U.S. Strikes are a critical negotiating tool when dealing with complex collective bargaining issues. For those who are confronted with the need to stage a walkout and seek better pay, benefits and more, it is important to understand what the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) says about the legality of organizing a strike. As with any issue related to labor law, having help from a law firm that specializes in helping unions is key.
Public school teachers in NYC vote to ratify new contract
Union-represented teachers in New York City voted to move forward with a contract that will increase pay and devote resources to improving needy schools.
How does NLRA labor law protect my union-based employee rights?
Union members in New York could be unaware of exactly what their rights are in relation to dealing with employers. Being unionized is beneficial to workers in many industries as it provides them with bargaining power and certain protections under the law. There are certain rights under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) when dealing with employers and alternatives if these are violated. Knowing employee rights under the law is critical when seeking to maximize benefits and compensation.
Union representation is a must with political issues
Unions in New York and New Jersey will know the value of having representation that has their interests in mind. Similarly, it is important for a union and its members to have a friendly advocate for its interests in strong political positions. That can be accomplished by supporting and gaining the support of political candidates. There is a difference between legal contributions and support and those that violate the law. Having legal protection is a must to ensure avoiding problems.
What Paid Family Leave benefits are available under labor law?
In New York, workers have certain rights under state labor law. Oftentimes, they are not granted these rights for the simple reason that they are unaware of them. In other instances, the employer might grant that the worker has the right to exercise certain rights, but subtly or overtly dissuades the worker from doing so with threats to job status. Workers should be cognizant of their rights and one of the relatively new laws gives Paid Family Leave benefits.
What constitutes unfair labor practices under labor law?
For New York union members and their representatives, the nuance of the law can be confusing and difficult as they seek to maximize their wages, benefits and other parts of a labor agreement. For example, there could be certain factors that are unknown under unfair labor law practices. The employer is not allowed to do certain things under labor law. Employees and their union should know about these violations in case they occur so they can take steps to hold the employer accountable.
A labor law firm can help with union elections and oversight
New York City unions are meant to protect the interests of its members and maximize what they get in terms of wages, benefits and more from their employer. Few consider the myriad issues that arise within the union and can cause problems for union members. When there are problems or concerns within the union, it is important to have a law firm that is experienced in representing the labor union and protecting the interests of the members.
U.S. Supreme Court decision affects public labor union fees
For unions in New York City and across the United States, it is important to keep a close eye on how changes to labor law and union requirements will affect them. Since there has been an ongoing debate about how public sector unions collect membership dues, a recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court clarifies this issue and is expected to make things tougher for unions. According to the Court, unions can no longer collect union fees from workers who are not members. This was an important part of the unions' ability to afford collective bargaining.
Key points about collective bargaining in New York
Unions are in place so workers in New York and across the nation have some level of bargaining power and the ability to band together to come to an agreement with their employer. A key part of that is collective bargaining. With collective bargaining, the workers gather and negotiate with management to improve their conditions on the job. The main goal of collective bargaining is to address concerns and issues at work. This can involve wages, vacations, how discipline is handled, promotions, raises and more.
