Smith and Christensen, LLP, brings more than 35 years of experience to the table when representing Cooperatives in a wide range of labor issues, including:

• Union avoidance;
• Elections;
• Collective bargaining;
• Arbitration;
• Grievances;
• Unfair labor practice (ULP) charges;
• Decertification petitions;
• Labor-management relations;
• National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issues; and
• Right-to-work issues.

The firm’s close relationship with Cooperatives and their management teams offers a tremendous advantage in developing effective union avoidance and campaign strategies.  With our extensive experience on election campaigns at electric and telephone Cooperatives, we know what works and what does not.

Our background with Cooperatives and our detailed knowledge of other contracts in the industry allow us to direct negotiations toward productive terms and to police against the union’s efforts to play one Cooperative against another during successive years of contract negotiations.

Risk avoidance is also a critical part of the firm’s labor practice.  For example, we will work with your Board so your Directors will not be “set up” for an unfair labor practice (ULP) charge and we will train your management staff regarding restrictions on their conduct (i.e., no threats, interrogations, promises or surveillance).  We can also help you protect your Cooperative from union efforts to infiltrate or otherwise influence Board elections.