Grievance and Interest Arbitration

Not all employees have the right to strike to secure a fair contract. Some employees perform work that is so important to society that they are prohibited from striking. Those workers – frequently Police Officers, Firefighters, Corrections Officers, Transit Operators and Teachers – often are forced to engage in interest arbitration to secure a fair resolution to stalled contract negotiations.

Willig, Willig & Davidson’s labor law attorneys have advocated at and presided over hundreds of interest arbitration hearings under Pennsylvania’s Act 111, Act 195 and other statutes. We put our skill to work in those proceedings to secure fair wages, strong health benefits and much-needed safety and staffing protections for our union clients. Our nationally-recognized interest arbitration attorneys regularly lecture before unions, lawyers, even arbitrators on the most effective interest arbitration techniques. We have forged a hard-fought record of success in interest arbitration, and we are honored to put our skills to work to improve the lives of public employees.

Of course, securing outstanding collective bargaining agreements means absolutely nothing if the agreements are not enforced. Willig, Williams & Davidson’s labor lawyers counsel our clients on the most effective ways to enforce their agreements, and regularly represent unions in grievance arbitrations in cases ranging from low-level discipline cases to the elimination of health benefits or relocation of employer operations.

Our labor law attorneys know the best-practices in preparing for and conducting effective grievance arbitration hearings. From initial grievance analysis, to development of the record, to filing oral or written summations, to enforcing successful awards, our labor lawyers play a vital role in ensuring that our clients contractual rights are honored.

Grievance and Interest Arbitration: Resources

• Willig, Williams & Davidson Partner Amy L. Rosenberger Presents at AFL-CIO Annual Union Lawyers Conference
  May 21, 2018
  Willig, Williams & Davidson partner Amy L. Rosenberger will present at and moderate a panel at the AFL-CIO Lawyers Coordinating Committee Annual Union Lawyers Conference in Atlanta, GA on May 17, 2018. The panel will address strategies for resisting employers’ aggressive litigation tactics in a variety of settings.
• Willig, Williams & Davidson Labor Lawyer Stuart W. Davidson adds context to SEPTA Strike for The Philadelphia Inquirer
  November 2, 2016
  Willig, Williams & Davidson labor lawyer Stuart W. Davidson was recently quoted in The Philadelphia Inquirer about his insights on union strikes. 
• Willig, Williams & Davidson Labor Lawyer Nancy B.G. Lassen provides insight on SEPTA Strike to WHYY and Newsworks
  November 2, 2016
  Willig, Williams & Davidson labor lawyer Nancy B.G. Lassen spoke with Newsworks about TWU Local 234’s strategy in the most recent Septa Strike. 
• Attorney Richard Poulson Quoted Regarding Pittsburgh Police Union Contract Arbitration
  April 8, 2015
  Willig, Williams and Davidson attorney Richard Poulson is quoted in news coverage of his opening presentation for the police union at a contract arbitration hearing in Pittsburgh.
• NLRB Modernizes Union Representation Election Rules
  December 30, 2014
  The National Labor Relations Board announced a new final rule that will modernize and streamline the process governing union representation elections.
• Congress Relaxes Restrictions on Political Activity by Certain State and Local Government Employees
  June 25, 2014
  The federal Office of Personnel Management issued its final rule implementing the Hatch Act Modernization Act of 2012.
• Labor Attorney Richard Poulson Quoted on Protecting Act 111 for Police Officers and Firefighters
  June 12, 2014
  Willig, Williams and Davidson Attorney Richard Poulson is quoted in news coverage of his testimony before the Pennsylvania General Assembly in defense of police officer and firefighter collective bargaining rights under Act 111.
• Labor Law Attorney Larry Goodman Discusses Union Representation by Willig, Williams & Davidson
  
• Attorney for AFSCME John Bielski Quoted on Northumberland County Employee Arbitration
  December 4, 2013
  Willig, Williams and Davidson Attorney John Bielski commented on a Northumberland County judge's decision to deny a petition to modify an arbitration and reinstate a fired county employee with back pay and seniority.
• Stuart Davidson Discusses the Firm's Union Representation, Labor Relations Law
  
• American Arbitration Association University, Labor Arbitration Advocacy Case Preparation Program
  June 24, 2010
• National Academy of Arbitrators Annual Meeting 'Pulling the Heartstrings: How Personal Characteristics Affect Outcome in Arbitration'
  May 29, 2010
  Presenting personal circumstances and effects on the outcome of an arbitration.
• The National Academy of Arbitrators Annual Meeting 'The Effects of the Economic and Budgetary Crises on Arbitration'
  May 29, 2010
• Union-Side Labor Lawyer John Bielski Discusses Firefighters Union and the City of Philadelphia
  April 1, 2010
  Philadelphia's firefighters union was up in arms Thursday, over what they say is an effort by the mayor to remove paramedics from the union. Now City Council is planning action.
• Labor Attorney John Bielski Quoted on Erie Pennsylvania Union Case
  March 16, 2010
  "The City of Erie threatens closure of one fire station after the Erie Court of Common Pleas grants the Erie Firefighters motion for civil contempt for failure of the City to implement safety and staffing provisions of the interest arbitration award previously affirmed by the Court"
• John Bielski Philadelphia Labor Attorney Discusses Erie Pennsylvania Firefighters' Union Case
  March 10, 2010
  The Erie County Court of Common pleas heard oral argument on the Erie Firefighters' motion for civil contempt for failure of the City of Erie to implement safety and staffing provisions of the interest arbitration award which had earlier been affirmed on appeal
• What Do Unions Expect in Arbitration?
  March 5, 2010
• Fraternal Order of Police, Pennsylvania State Lodge, Police Labor Seminars
  February 27, 2010 (Eastern PA); March 27, 2010 (Western PA)
• Richard Poulson Labor Law Attorney Quoted Regarding Erie Pennsylvania Court Decision
  December 10, 2009
  An Erie County judge won't set aside part of an arbitrator's award that city officials have said could force the city to hire as many as 24 new firefighters at a cost of up to $1.73 million in its first year alone.