Labor Relations

Our team of labor lawyers has extensive experience representing management in all aspects of labor relations and is ranked both nationally and regionally by U.S. News – “Best Law Firms” survey for Labor Law - Management. Our labor lawyers counsel, advise, and represent both unionized and non-unionized clients in developing corporate-wide, multi-facility labor relations strategies. We negotiate collective bargaining agreements and represent our clients in contract administration, grievance handling and arbitration, strike consultation, and National Labor Relations Board and court proceedings. We make it a point to learn your business so that labor relations strategies coincide with your operational objectives. We also work with clients to develop communication strategies and proactive initiatives that encourage positive employee relations, helping employers lawfully avoid unions. Our clients range from Fortune 100 companies and large private equity backed businesses to community health centers. We represent clients in manufacturing, healthcare, higher education, human services, paper, fuel oil, pharmaceutical, insurance/financial, trucking, transportation, construction, hospitality, gaming, elevator, aerospace and governmental industries.  

Our Services

We provide advice and representation on the full labor relations and union avoidance spectrum to help our clients attain their objectives, including:

  • Negotiation and administration of collective bargaining agreements
  • Grievances and arbitration
  • Labor relations strategies that integrate operational objectives
  • Contract administration
  • Union organizing campaigns and elections
  • Labor disputes, including strikes, picketing, lockouts and corporate campaigns
  • Unfair labor practice claims, including National Labor Relations Board and court proceedings
  • Communication strategies and other initiatives that encourage positive and direct employee relations
  • Transactions, including purchases and sales, mergers, consolidations, relocations, divestitures, and subcontracting
  • Multi-employer pension liability and other employee benefits issues 
  • Multi-employer fund withdrawal liability

Our Team

As a dedicated labor relations practice within a full service regional law firm, we regularly partner with our firm's industry groups, including manufacturing, education, health care, exempt organizations, and construction, and draw upon the resources and experience of our firm’s practices, including corporate, environmental,  health & safety, trial and appellate, governmental relations and incentives, and compensation and employee benefits. As part of coordinated teams, our labor practitioners are able to add significant value for clients as they work to attain their business and management objectives.
 

    • Experience
      • Counseled numerous employers, including an international chemical manufacturer, on labor relations strategy involving a permanent plant facility closure.

      • Represented and counseled health care employer during a successful decertification petition and election campaign involving a SEIU local union.

      • Prevailed in grievance arbitration involving the discharge for cause of a thirty-three year SEIU delegate.

      • Have served as chief spokesperson and lead negotiator in hundreds of collective bargaining negotiations that have involved numerous issues, including the termination of defined benefit retirement plans.

      • Successfully defended company in labor arbitration against a claim that the Union had the right to take union stewards away from work for Union business without notification to or approval from the company.

         

      • Assisted manufacturing client in the successful decertification a 30-year bargaining relationship with the International Association of Machinists.
      • Assisted a Water Pollution Control Authority with the labor relations issues involving a subcontract of its WCPA operations and possible transition of operation back to the municipality.

      • Prevailed in labor arbitration regarding contract interpretation and involving the discipline of two employees who left work early because the Union claimed that the collective bargaining agreement established a maximum workweek.

    • News
      • April 17, 2023

        Natale DiNatale and Jon Schaefer Author CBIA Article on OSHA Inspection Changes at Non-Union Facilities

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      • February 2, 2023

        Natale DiNatale and Kayla West Co-Author Material Handling & Logistics Article Offering Insights as Unionizing Efforts Accelerate

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      • July 26, 2022

        Natale DiNatale and Kayla West Co-Author Modern Restaurant Management Article on Unions in Food & Beverage Industry

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      • March 9, 2021

        Natale DiNatale and Kayla West Author Industry Week Article on Union Progress Under Biden Administration

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      • November 6, 2020

        Robinson+Cole Receives 36 First-Tier Metropolitan Rankings and Four National Rankings in Latest U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms”

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      • November 1, 2018

        Robinson+Cole Receives 36 First-Tier Metropolitan Rankings and Four National Rankings in Latest U.S. News – “Best Law Firms” Survey

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      • October 18, 2018

        51 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

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      • August 15, 2017

        Fifty-Nine Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2018

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      • August 15, 2016

        Robinson+Cole Receives Top Listing in Connecticut Lawyer Count in The Best Lawyers in America® 2017

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      • August 18, 2015

        Robinson+Cole Receives Top Listing in Connecticut Lawyer Count in The Best Lawyers in America® 2016

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      • May 15, 2014

        Robinson+Cole Boosts Metro New York Employment Practice with Addition of 30-Year Labor Pro

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      • October 21, 2013

        Super Lawyers® Names 61 Robinson & Cole Attorneys to 2013 List

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      • December 21, 2012

        Robinson & Cole Attorneys Appointed to Board of Directors of Nonprofits

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      • December 13, 2012

        Robinson & Cole Attorneys Earn Additional Honors for Pro Bono Work

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      • August 28, 2012

        Robinson & Cole Receives Top Listing in Connecticut Attorney Count in Best Lawyers National Peer Review Survey

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      • June 30, 2012

        Theodore J. Tucci to Participate in the Metro Hartford Alliance’s Panel Discussion on the U.S. Supreme Court’s Ruling on Health Care Reform

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      • May 31, 2012

        Robinson & Cole Expands Labor & Employment Practice with Addition of Three New Attorneys

      • May 22, 2012

        Labor and Employment Attorney Coaches Fifth Graders in Mock Trial

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      • May 14, 2012

        Robinson & Cole Welcomes Twelve New Attorneys in Five Offices Expanding its Presence across the Northeast

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      • November 21, 2011

        Attorneys Write Articles Published in Connecticut Law Tribune Special Section on Employment and Immigration Law

      • February 14, 2011

        Labor and Employment Associate Shares the Ins and Outs of a Legal Career with High School Students

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      • August 26, 2010

        Reflecting on Workplace Safety Procedures

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      • April 14, 2010

        Robinson & Cole Attorney Appointed as Contributing Editor for American Bar Association's Developing Labor Law Publication

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      • November 13, 2008

        Robinson & Cole Partner Speaks at First Annual SPPON Trustee Symposium

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      • August 20, 2008

        Robinson & Cole Announces New Anti-Harassment Training Program

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    • Publications + Presentations
    • "Are College Athletes Students or Employees? A Review of the Developing Legal Landscape Surrounding the “Student-Athlete” Debate," co-presented by Kathleen E. Dion and Natale V. DiNatale (3/3/2023)
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      "Are College Athletes Employees?" presented by Natale V. DiNatale, presented by the Connecticut Valley LERA (Labor and Employment Relations Association) (2/24/2023)
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      "NLRB Draws a Line: Polite Picket Lines, Civil Social Media and Courteous Complaining" authored by Natale V. DiNatale (8/24/2020)

      "Connecticut's Paid Family and Medical Leave Act: Today & Tomorrow," co-presented by Natale V. DiNatale and Alexander Friedman (10/15/2019)
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      "General Counsel's New Standard on Intermittent Strikes, Another Untenable Position for Employers" authored by Natale V. DiNatale (October 10, 2016)

      "NLRB Revised Election Rules Set to Take Effect in April" (3/5/2015)

      "Looking Forward to 2014 for Manufacturers/Distributors" (01/21/2014)

      "Check out our Manufacturing Law Blog" (09/10/2013)

      "Dodging the “U” Word: Your Organization’s Guide to Union Avoidance," (1/28/2013)

      "NLRB Rules Witness Statements Must Be Provided to Unions" (01/14/2013)

      "Employees’ NLRA Section 7 Rights in a Nonunionized Environment," co-presented by Nicole A. Bernabo and Peter A. Dagostine, Robinson & Cole webinar (1/10/2013)

      "Nonsolicitation/Distribution Policies,"
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      "NLRB Rules Several Common Workplace Policies Violate the NLRA" (10/31/2012)

      "NLRB Finds Hospital's No-Access Policy for Off-Duty Employees Unlawful" (07/16/2012)

      "NLRB General Counsel Issues Social Media Policy Guidance" (06/07/2012)

      "Court Decisions Postpone NLRA Notice Posting Rule," published in Connecticut Law Tribune, authored by Nicole A. Bernabo (4/23/2012)

      "New Rules Would Affect Consultants to Employers: Law Firms, Others Would Have To Report Activities Involving Union Issues," published in Connecticut Law Tribune, authored by Nicole A. Bernabo (10/31/2011)

      "Arbitration in Employment Disputes," presented by Nicole A. Bernabo, moderated panel at Connecticut Bar Association Annual Meeting (6/23/2011)

      "Big Brother, Hidden Cameras & Other Surveillance in the Workplace," at Massachusetts Bar Association Luncheon Roundtable, presented by Jeffrey M. Feuer, Esq., and David R. Kerrigan, Assistant Attorney General (1/11/2006)
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      Labor and Employment in Connecticut: A Guide to Employment Laws, Regulations, and Practices, authored by Jeffrey L. Hirsch (2006, 2007)

      Labor and Employment in Rhode Island

      Labor and Employment in Connecticut, assisted by Effie Aquila Patrick

      Labor and Employment in Massachusetts

Our Team

Chair

Members