- Who does CLS work for?
CLS works with employee associations and unions. We also work with individuals who would like to start a union at their workplace.
- What's the difference between an employee association and a union?
If an employee association has an agreement with the employer that covers wages, hours and terms and conditions of employment, then it is a collective bargaining agent - same as a union, just by another name.
Certain state laws (including California) allow employee associations that do not have such an agreement. Those associations are advisory, and lack the legal standing to demand negotiations.
- Do you work with professional unions?
We do! In fact, professional unions are a bit of a specialty for us; several of our clients are unions that represent highly paid professionals such as lawyers, engineers, and medical professionals.
- Why don't you publish your client list?
We see ourselves as a "secret weapon" for our clients; we prefer that the other side not know they have such high-powered assistance. (By the way, If you think your employer doesn't have outside labor strategy consultants, guess again!)
That said, after your initial consultation with us, we will be happy to provide client references that are tailored to your specific areas of need.
- What are your rates?
We build our rates around the needs of our clients. We can work on a project basis, a retainer basis (a set fee for a set number of hours), or a straight hourly-fee basis.
Initial consultation, of course, is free.
For those that do not have an association or union yet and are looking to organize one, CLS will provide pro bono assistance and/or referral to others who can assist you.
- Why shouldn't we just hire a lawyer?
Three reasons:
1. You probably don't really need a lawyer. The vast majority of labor relations work is done by people who aren't lawyers. Plus...
2. We don't think like lawyers, who tend to think in terms like lawsuits and court actions. You can't blame them; that's what they are trained to do. We, on the other hand, are trained to organize, negotiate, lobby, build coalitions, create leverage, and find a path to a deal without getting dragged down in a long (and potentially very expensive) court battle. Which brings us to...
3. We don't charge like lawyers. Our fees are going to run less than half of what most attorneys charge. If we come to the point where we need legal assistance, we have excellent legal partners who can assist us.
- Do you work outside of California?
Yes. Although CLS was founded to work with California public employees, we have expanded from our origins and have clients who are located outside California.
- We don't have a union. Can you help us start one?
We are happy to help you form a union, or steer you to one that is right for you. Just call, or send us an email, and we'll get started!
