RLS

The skilled attorneys and labor relations representatives at Rains Lucia Stern, PC have negotiated hundreds of collective bargaining agreements on behalf of our Association clients. RLS provides collective bargaining and negotiation services for Associations ranging in size from eight members to many hundreds.

During contract negotiations, RLS's knowledgeable negotiators work with clients in strategic planning, often representing the Association as chief spokesperson at the bargaining table. Our experienced negotiators are experts at formulating strategies for the valuable PERS 3% at 50 benefit and have successfully obtained this benefit for many of our clients. RLS offers a wide-variety of contract negotiation options to accommodate budget concerns.

In handling contract grievances, RLS recognizes the importance of aggressive, thorough, and competent representation at the earliest stages of the grievance process. RLS not only advises many hundreds of clients on the preparation and advancing of grievances up to and through arbitration, but also has been successful in resolving disputes at the earliest possible stage.

Rains Lucia Stern, PC has significant experience in the enforcement of Collective Bargaining Agreements. We are experts in the state and federal laws protecting employee collective bargaining rights and the impact of these laws on wages, hours, and working conditions. This expertise has benefited clients both in contract grievance arbitration and in superior court proceedings to enforce contracts. Our knowledge and experience in contract grievances, meet-and-confer matters, and the obligations of employers to abide by the terms of agreements has been critical to resolving disputes at their earliest possible stages and to successful court enforcement proceedings.

A number of our clients must resolve collective bargaining disputes with their employers through Binding Interest Arbitration. RLS's experience in collective bargaining arbitration and litigation provides a unique opportunity for our clients to secure more favorable wages, hours, and working conditions. RLS's expertise in binding interest arbitration was recognized by PORAC when it invited the RLS team to be featured speakers at its SB402 educational seminars.

In the course of the collective bargaining process, employers occasionally engage in Bad Faith Conduct and Unfair Labor Practices. RLS aggressively preserves the rights of our clients by asserting and litigating claims based upon employer interference with internal association matters including political activities, and other acts constituting bad faith. RLS vigorously pursues claims against employers who retaliate against members for engaging in protected Association activities.

Through experience in collective bargaining matters, the attorneys and labor relations representatives at Rains Lucia Stern, PC have developed an in-depth knowledge of securing, maintaining, and modifying various employee benefits. Matters related to retirement benefits, medical benefits, seniority rights, and other issues central to the rights of employees are routinely addressed in the course of advising clients.

RLS has extensive experience working with retirements under PERS and the County Retirement Act of 1937. In addition, RLS routinely addresses retirement benefits and issues.

RLS also advises Association clients, Boards of Directors, and Officers on various organizational matters relating to the governance and operation of a labor organization. RLS provides advice to the governing bodies of labor organizations on matters concerning duties of fair representation, contractual obligations, as well as member, director, and officer liability. In addition, RLS advises Association clients on securing and maintaining state and federal tax-exempt status.