David concentrates a large portion of his practice on assisting employers with traditional labor matters. His deep experience includes collective bargaining, work stoppages, arbitrations, union avoidance training and strategies, union representation elections, unfair labor practice charges, contract administration, and various other labor relations issues.
David has helped companies secure favorable outcomes with labor issues around the country. He has experience with numerous labor unions, including the Steelworkers, Teamsters, Laborers, Sheet Metal Workers, CWA, UFCW, UAW, IBEW, BTCGM, GMP and with trades such as carpenters, pipefitters and more. Notably, David’s interest in labor relations began in high school, having grown up next to several of the largest steel mills in the world and coming from a family that has members in human resources management and union leadership positions. These experiences have given him a foundational understanding as to how unions operate and what drives their decision-making process.
To maintain a well-rounded practice and offer a full range of labor and employment services to his clients, David also routinely defends employers in employment litigation matters – both in class/collective actions and individual cases – alleging wrongful discharge; discrimination; retaliation; harassment; wage-related claims; breach of contract; and claims regarding the classification of workers as independent contractors under various state and federal laws. In addition, David has defended clients in class actions and high stakes qui tam actions, which are often initiated by current or former disgruntled employees and brought under the False Claims Act by government agencies and the Department of Justice.
David also assists employers with proactive counseling, both in the employment and labor context. This portion of his practice involves reviewing and drafting employment policies; conducting training on issues spanning the labor and employment spectrum; and otherwise advising clients when daily, complex employee-relations issues arise.