Union Representation

WISCONSIN UNION OPERATION REPRESENTATION

At MacGillis Wiemer, LLC, we represent public unions and their members in all aspects of union operations. We represent unions before the Wisconsin Employment Relation Commission (WERC), the Milwaukee County Personnel Review Board (PRB), Police and Fire Commissions, Circuit Courts, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, the Wisconsin Supreme Court, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and the United States Supreme Court.

CONTRACTUAL GRIEVANCES IN WISCONSIN

Get the results you and your union members deserve with MacGillis Wiemer, LLC. Contact our Milwaukee area union representation law firm to begin protecting you and your membership.

Contractual Grievances in Wisconsin

Even today, municipal employees have important rights as employees and many as union members. Municipal employees represented by unions have certain specific rights laid out in the collective bargaining agreements between the unions and the municipalities.

At MacGillis Wiemer, LLC, we advise union leaders and their members as decisions are made whether to file and/or pursue grievances. We also work to timely appeal grievances through the contractual grievance process.

MacGillis Wiemer, LLC also works with individual union members to properly articulate alleged grievances. We often initiate the grievance arbitration process and represent union members during every aspect of grievance arbitration before the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission (WERC), or other arbitral bodies.

Grievance arbitration includes but is not limited to, opening and closing statements, performing direct and cross-examinations of witnesses, and drafting initial and reply briefs. Ultimately, we are responsible for every aspect of the arbitration from beginning to end.

In the event that a union determines it necessary to petition the Circuit Court for confirmation or vacation of an arbitration award, we also represent unions in cases under Wis. Stat. § 788.09.

Discipline Appeals

At MacGillis Wiemer, LLC, we represent individual union members through internal investigations for the potential imposition of discipline. We ensure that members are protected and receive their Garrity rights.

At our Milwaukee law firm, We also train union leaders to better protect members’ rights during the investigatory process.

After the imposition of discipline, MacGillis Wiemer, LLC aggressively and effectively protects the rights of union members by working closely with union leaders to determine whether or not to appeal the imposed discipline. We also represent the union and/or individual members during the discipline appeal process. We handle discipline appeals before the WERC, Police and Fire Commissions, Milwaukee County Personnel Review Board, and Circuit Court.

Collective Bargaining

At MacGillis Wiemer, LLC, we are actively involved in collective bargaining negotiations between unions and municipal employers. We also represent unions during interest arbitration after the impasse.

We vigorously and tirelessly help union leaders through the decision-making process of collective bargaining mediation. We work closely with WERC mediators and help union leaders determine priorities and goals for collective bargaining.

We also evaluate whether certain proposals are viable and whether or not a particular issue is worth pursuing during the collective bargaining process. We serve as lead negotiators during the mediation process and are unions’ primary advocates during interest arbitration.

At MacGillis Wiemer, LLC, we represent unions and their membership during every aspect of interest arbitration before the WERC. During this time that unions are fighting to maintain their very existence, it is extremely important to have legal representation that understands the current political climate. Let us protect you and your membership.

Prohibited Practices

At MacGillis Wiemer, LLC, we also represent unions and union members in cases involving unfair labor practices. We draft and file complaints for violations of Wis. Stat. § 111.70, and represent the union during every aspect of the prohibited practice process before the WERC.

If an unfair labor practice complaint is ever filed against a union, we also provide effective representation during every aspect of the prohibited practice defense.

Officer-Involved Shootings and Other Critical Incidents

At MacGillis Wiemer, LLC we have significant experience representing law enforcement officers. Police Officers and other law enforcement officers are often faced with dangerous and life-threatening situations. Officers are required to take immediate action and use force when necessary. During officer-involved shootings and other critical incidents, we represent the individual employees involved. We work with the individual police officers during every aspect of the internal investigation surrounding these situations, and perhaps more importantly, we understand that the individual involved is dealing with complex and varied feelings of responsibility and emotion.

MacGillis Wiemer, LLC will be there at every step of the process to ensure that union members are protected. Let us protect you.

Duty of Fair Representation

At MacGillis Wiemer, LLC, we also represent unions and union leaders any time a union member claims that the union breached its duty of fair representation.

We have successfully litigated DFR claims before the WERC and Circuit Courts. We are also proactive with union leaders, working to establish effective checks and balances, and implement structures to protect the union against duty of fair representation claims.

Litigation

At MacGillis Wiemer, LLC, we represent unions in Circuit Court and Federal District Court to address all pertinent concerns.

We have litigated insurance coverage disputes, civil service violations, open records law violations, discrimination claims, FMLA claims, First Amendment retaliation claims, and several other statutory violations.

If a lower court’s decision is appealed, we also represent unions on appeal in both state and federal court.

Union Operation

In addition to being a union’s legal counsel, at MacGillis Wiemer, LLC, we also consult actively with union leaders regarding various issues. We attend member meetings to answer questions and update members on the status of cases and meet with union leaders to discuss long-term strategies.

MacGillis Wiemer, LLC is committed to protecting union members’ rights. We litigate to protect those rights, but we also think proactively to grow union member support and increase awareness of union action.

Particularly in Wisconsin, it is important for union members to remain diligent in defense of their rights. Municipal employers have an obligation to their employees. We are here to protect those rights for union members.

Contact Our Wisconsin Union Representation Law Office

We provide a free initial consultation regarding labor law issues.

Potential clients can schedule a free initial consultation with our firm by calling (414) 727-5150. You can also reach us online. All communications between our law firm and potential clients remain entirely confidential.