Committees

The focus of this labor and employment law committee's work is the expanding field of alternative dispute resolution, including labor and employment arbitration and mediation.

The committee is one of the oldest and largest committees in the Section of Labor & Employment Law. It informs its membership of the developing case law under the Act and seeks the orderly and equitable development of that law.

The membership of this Section of Labor and Employment Law committee has grown substantially in recent years, reflecting developments in the area of employee benefits law resulting from significant statutory, regulatory, and case law changes.

This labor and employment law committee is concerned with developments in the law governing the rights and responsibilities of individual workers and their employers in the workplace, and the resolution of disputes between individual employees and employers.

The Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity Law concentrates on all aspects of equal employment opportunity under federal and state law in both private and public employment, including: employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age and disability; the interface of equal employment opportunity issues with collective bargaining situations under the National Labor Relations Act; use and validation of selection devices; affirmative action under Executive Orders 11246 and 11375; procedures and remedies in class action employment discrimination suits; and liaison with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs and the Department of Justice.

This labor and employment law committee has jurisdiction over certain statutes administered, or formerly administered, by the United States Department of Labor. The subcommittees work in the areas of: Age Discrimination in Employment Act; Equal Pay Act; Fair Labor Standards Act; Family Medical Leave Act; Davis-Bacon, Walsh-Healy, and Service Contract Acts; Worker Adjustment and Retaining Notification Act; and the Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988.

This labor and employment law committee surveys the full scope of labor and employment law related to federal employees. The committee's chief activity is the preparation of an annual report drafted by committee members. The drafts of the report form the basis for our discussion of changes in the law at the annual mid-winter meeting. The committee has established subcommittees which meet periodically with members and staff of the Federal Labor Relations Authority, the Merit Systems Protection Board, and the Employment Opportunity Commission.

This Committee addresses two of the hottest topics in the labor and employment law field. The scourge of human trafficking has taken on increasing prominence as a human rights abuse that disrupts and perverts labor markets, as well as devastating the lives of individual trafficking victims.

Each year, since 1979, this committee has held timely and informative midwinter meetings overseas to exchange views face-to-face with leading labor relations and employment law experts in foreign capitals and leading cities (Prague, Amsterdam, Dublin, Berlin, London, Brussels, Luxembourg, Geneva, Paris, Dusseldorf, Munich, Rome, Vienna, Madrid, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Copenhagen and Stockholm). As an important task force for the Section, committee members study and report on current developments in foreign labor relations law and employment law practices, particularly those affecting U.S. multi-national enterprises operating abroad.

This labor and employment law committee follows developments under the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act, as well as various state plans through which occupational safety and health laws and regulations are enforced.

The "P&P" Committee is a longstanding Committee of the Section of Labor and Employment Law. Our members focus on procedural issues in the administration and enforcement of the National Labor Relations Act, such as union representation elections and unfair labor practice procedures. The Committee works closely with the Members, General Counsel, and staff of the National Labor Relations Board.

Comprised of attorneys who specialize in labor and employment work involving airlines and railroads covered by the Railway Labor Act, members of this committee include attorneys from law firms, carriers and unions, along with government officials and arbitrators. Providing a valuable forum for Railway Labor Act practitioners of all perspectives, the group facilitates an environment for its members to work together on both a professional and social basis.

This labor and employment law committee's scope of concern involves all significant public sector labor relations issues. Each year, members publish an annual report focusing on case law and bargaining developments in the following substantive and procedural areas: grievance arbitration; constitutional issues; bargaining unit determination; the resolution of interest disputes; duty of fair representation; scope of bargaining; practice and procedure; and special problems affecting the negotiating process.

For over a decade, the Technology in the Practice and Workplace Committee has been at the forefront of three primary areas: (1) examining the impact of technology on substantive labor and employment issues; (2) exploring the impact and use of technology on the practice of law; and, (3) serving as a resource to Section of Labor and Employment Law members.

The ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law will conduct our fifth Leadership Development Program to provide leadership training and development to a select group of Section members representing all constituencies of the Section (Union/Employee, Employer, and Government/Neutral).

The Committee works on a number of interesting projects designed to educate Section members about pro bono work, recognize the extraordinary efforts of Section members who perform pro bono work through the Section's Frances Perkins Public Service Award, and support the efforts of the Section and its members to perform pro bono work.

The ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law holds an annual Trial Advocacy Competition to encourage law students to follow a career in this area of law.

Dealing with matters germane to union administration and procedure, this labor and employment law committee addresses topics including: equal rights and privileges of union members; freedom of speech and assembly; protection of the right to sue; safeguards against improper disciplinary action and enforcement; reporting requirements; elections; state court and other decisions; and procedural issues.