Union Representation
At Frank Freed Subit & Thomas, we believe that unions are vital to a fair and just workplace. Collective bargaining is the surest way to job security and a level playing field for all employees. Our union clients deserve committed and effective representation at a fair price. Our team of labor lawyers represents some of the largest unions in the state. Among our many union clients are bus and light rail drivers, professors, mechanics, office workers, and professionals in public and private employment.
Collective Bargaining Assistance for Unions
Our team of labor lawyers has years of experience in the finer points
of labor negotiation and interest arbitration. We can help negotiate a
fair contract with employers regarding wages and overtime, benefits, health
and safety concerns, training, and other mandatory subjects of bargaining.
Grievance Arbitrations
Our team represents unions in grievance arbitrations ranging from member
discharge and discipline to contract interpretation disputes. Our firm
achieved a major victory for public sector unions when the Washington
Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) reversed 30 years of precedent
and held that employees still have the right to grievance arbitration
even after the expiration of the collective bargaining agreement.
Day-to-Day Union Management & Counseling
Legal concerns arise in the everyday operation of each labor organization.
We are just a phone call away when our unions have questions about how
they should respond to a workplace situation.
Unfair Labor Practices
Unfair labor practices are governed by the National Labor Relations Board
(NLRB) and the Washington Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC).
When an employer refuses to bargain in good faith or commits other unfair
labor practices, our firm can aggressively represent the union before
administrative agencies.
Union Rights
We have a long history of assisting our union clients with standing up for their legal rights when management seeks to violate them. Here are a few of our representative appellate cases:
In Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1576 v. Snohomish County Benefit Public Transportation Benefit Area, 178 Wn. App. 566, 316 P.3d 1103 (2013), the Washington court of appeals ruled that Community Transit had illegally excluded the Union representative from meetings with the Board of Directors.
In Amalgamated Transit Union Local 587 v. State, 142 Wn.2d 183, 11 P.3d 762 (2000), we successfully challenged Initiative 695 and prevented substantial funding cuts to mass transit.
In Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle v. Amalgamated Transit Union Local 587, 118 Wn.2d 639, 826 P.2d 167 (1992), we defeated a challenge to our members' right to interest arbitration.