Philadelphia Labor Law Attorneys Offering Strong Assistance With Disputes
Labor laws govern the lives of all working men and women. These laws focus on protecting the rights of employees in the workplace. Unfortunately, some employers and other organizations attempt to take advantage of the vulnerable position of some employees, breaking laws and gravely impacting lives. Understanding your rights and options, as an employee, is of great importance.
For more than 40 years, the law firm of Markowitz & Richman has represented individuals, unions and benefit funds in legal cases that cover a broad range of topics. The labor law attorneys at our firm understand the seriousness of these types of cases and treat them as such.
Handling Labor Law Cases Across Pennsylvania
Our dedicated lawyers and staff confidently represent clients in a number of labor law matters, including:
- Labor union representation
- Benefit fund representation
- Wage and hour and overtime disputes
- Class action lawsuits in certain geographical areas
- Pension and retirement rights
For these and many other issues, you can rely on our team of labor and employment law attorneys.
What Rights Do Unions In Pennsylvania Have That They Should Know About?
Pennsylvania has strong statutory protections for labor unions. Public-sector unions have collective bargaining privileges through the Public Employe Relations Act (PERA) or Act No. 111 (for police and fire personnel), guaranteeing the right to negotiate over wages, hours and working conditions.
Under Act No. 111, first responders who give up the right to strike receive binding arbitration to resolve contract disputes. Unions also have the right to collect membership dues and file unfair labor practice charges with the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board (PLRB). Unions may also require employers to provide operational data during negotiations.
What Are Some Common Union Violations That Often Go To Court?
Litigation often stems from unfair labor practices (ULPs) committed by employers or union leadership. Common examples include:
- Employers engaging in bad-faith bargaining
- Retaliating against workers for organizing
- Changing shift hours or wages without union consultation
Courts also see cases where unions fail in their duty of fair representation. For example, a union may refuse to process a member’s valid workplace grievance. Other courtroom disputes involve breach-of-contract suits over collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) or illegal picketing tactics that cross into intimidation or property obstruction.
How Can A Dedicated Labor Law Attorney Help With The Process?
Successfully resolving a labor dispute takes legal guidance to avoid any missteps. A labor lawyer provides strategic value by:
- Drafting collective bargaining contracts
- Advocating for you during negotiations
- Handling complex grievance arbitrations
- Defending workers against unlawful retaliation
- Seeking court injunctions against bad-faith tactics
If a dispute escalates, a labor attorney can also represent unions or employees before administrative bodies such as the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
Contact Our Philadelphia Labor Law Lawyers
Your case is extremely important to us. The partners and associates at our firm are highly regarded within the legal community. We bring insights and leadership to every case, allowing us to pursue your matter as effectively and efficiently as possible.
Contact the qualified lawyers at Markowitz & Richman to discuss your labor law case: call 800-590-4561, call toll-free at 610-820-9531 or send us an email. We can put our years of experience to work for your benefit.
