Labor-Management Relations

When conflicts arise, the team leverages deep experience in managing campaigns to implement internal and external plans for handling strikes and boycotts. McGuireWoods lawyers have managed more than 500 campaigns across industries and in virtually every state. 

McGuireWoods’ coast-to-coast team of litigators defends clients before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and in the court of public opinion. Ranked among the top litigation firms for labor and employment disputes by The Legal 500 U.S., McGuireWoods defends union-represented employers in single-plaintiff and in class, collective and representative actions.

As companies prepare to acquire or join workforces, our labor attorneys work with McGuireWoods’ nationally recognized Strategic Mergers & Acquisitions Practice Group to advise employers on union-related aspects of corporate transactions.

How We Help

The Labor-Management Relations Practice Group handles traditional labor law issues, including:

Experience

• Global transportation solutions company on its development of a multifaceted, education-based campaign after receiving a union petition jointly filed by the Boilermakers Local and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers  Local, representing approximately 1,500 hourly workers at a Sacramento, California, manufacturing facility;
• Beverage manufacturing and distribution company in a dispute involving a union representation petition filed by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local No. 99 seeking to represent virtually all employees of our client’s production, warehouse and distribution facility in the Dallas-Fort Worth area;
• Environmental services company in a union campaign against the IBEW labor union involving a singular location in Iowa, resulting in the employer’s victory in the election;
• Global automotive manufacturer in high-profile matters before the NLRB in which the United Auto Workers filed a petition seeking to represent 3,800 mechanics at a large southern manufacturing facility;
• Beverage manufacturing and distribution company against allegations pertaining to employee threats, retaliation, unlawful surveillance, refusal to bargain, refusal to provide information and direct dealing, as well as challenges related to the suspension of insurance benefits to striking employees during multifacility contract negotiations, resulting in a full dismissal and/or withdrawal of eight unfair labor practice charges;
• Large public manufacturer of engine parts on responding to renewed union organizing activity by the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Workers at a large Illinois manufacturing facility, in collective bargaining with the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers and other unions at organized California and Illinois locations, and in arbitrations and unfair labor practice proceedings;
• Large concrete manufacturer on an education-based campaign in response to union petitions filed by the Teamsters to represent drivers in Virginia, Florida and other states;
• Large government contractor in union campaign activities, unfair labor practice proceedings, collective bargaining matters and arbitrations throughout the country;
• Fortune 500 manufacturer of fiber-related materials on union avoidance, union campaigns, collective bargaining negotiations and arbitrations at facilities in the United States; and
• Private equity clients of various sizes on union-related issues related to equity and asset sales and purchases, as well as unique successorship and post-deal corporate organization matters implicated by unionized workforces.