Labor and employment law is a cornerstone of our firm, and we know and work with all facets of this dynamic area. From the beginning, we have built our niche on the unique synergies and efficiencies that come from our deep experience in a few specific areas of law. Franczek stands out by representing a mix of employers, from multinational companies, local businesses, nonprofits and state and local governments to higher education entities and other educational institutions. This broad experience allows us to provide our school district clients with labor and employment counsel that is informed by the full scope of the law.
Labor
Franczek’s prominence in the realm of traditional labor-management relations is indisputable. Our attorneys have represented school districts in every area of labor relations, including collective bargaining negotiations, grievance arbitrations, unfair labor practice and representation proceedings before the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board, strike management and resolution, strike injunction proceedings, and impasse arbitration. Our approach is always to seek practical solutions to problems in an environment that promotes collaboration and strengthens relationships whenever possible. There are few, if any, firms that have a similar depth of experience representing school districts in labor matters.
We have negotiated hundreds of collective bargaining agreements covering teachers, nurses, education support personnel, custodial and maintenance workers, and other educational employees. Our years of experience working across the table from and developing a strong working relationship with virtually every Illinois labor union uniquely prepares us to help school districts with their labor needs. Additionally, we are confident that our work and negotiations with representatives at all levels of all the leading labor unions that represent educational employees, including the Illinois Education Association, the Illinois Federation of Teachers, and the Service Employees International Union, allows us to serve school districts exceptionally well in this area.
Employment
At Franczek, we know that an effective and successful school staff results in a productive and thriving district. We handle all legal matters that may arise with school personnel, from day-to-day counseling and internal investigations to remedial actions, formal disputes, and litigation.
With respect to client counseling, we counsel clients on all aspects of employment, such as employee discipline, seniority, tenure, and other personnel matters. We have an impressive track record representing public school districts in all aspects of employment arbitration, litigation, and appellate advocacy. Our experience includes the defense of employment discrimination claims, teacher dismissals, employment contract claims, wrongful discharge actions, reductions in force, tenure acquisition, employment discrimination matters, teacher dismissals, employee discipline, and sexual harassment training and investigations.
We represent school districts before federal and state courts and administrative agencies enforcing employment laws, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, the Illinois Department of Human Rights, the Illinois Human Rights Commission, the U.S. and Illinois Departments of Labor, and the Occupational Safety and Health Commission.
Our experience in employment law includes the following:
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Administrator Contracts
- Arbitrations
- Collective Bargaining Negotiation
- Compliance
- Day-to-Day Counseling
- Employee Discipline
- Employment Litigation
- Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
- Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Grievances
- Hiring and Dismissal
- Immigration
- Union and Non-Union Contracts
Pensions
Our attorneys help clients with Teacher Retirement Service (TRS) regulations and Illinois Pension Code issues. We provide a full range of employee benefits services, including the drafting and revisions of policies and plans that comply with the Public Health Service Act, HIPAA, the Internal Revenue Code, payroll tax requirements, COBRA, and Section 409A.