The Council on Labor Law Equality
A network of labor relations and legal professionals dedicated to maintaining a national labor relations policy that is fair and balanced
For more than 25 years, the Council on Labor Law Equality (COLLE) has monitored the activities of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and court decisions regarding the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). COLLE is a national association of labor relations executives and in-house counsel of major U.S. companies that meets to discuss current labor relations decisions of the NLRB, state and federal courts, and local legislatures that impact U.S. business. Members represent companies from a wide range of industries and are advised by top legal counsel.
COLLE provides legal support to companies with cases pending before the NLRB and federal courts. COLLE fi les briefs in support of petitioners, uniquely positioning the group as the exclusive NLRB-centric brief writer. In so doing, COLLE helps shape national labor policy.
Sessions – Winter, Summer, and Fall
COLLE meets three times during the year for two-day sessions, typically in Washington, D.C. or co-located with ORC’s U.S. Labor and Employee Relations Network in other cities. The sessions include high-level discussion of recent NLRB cases, presentations by members of recent settlements, networking, and sharing best practices regarding current and emerging labor issues. Guest speakers frequently include NLRB members and staff, and labor experts in government agencies and relevant organizations. The group adheres to a strict policy of confi dentiality while promoting open sharing of information among members.
At each meeting, members participate in a roundtable discussion of current labor issues and address recent legal decisions and analyze their impact on their company, industry, and general business community. Expert legal counsel present two regular features: The Washington Update, an overview of the political climate concerning upcoming legislation impacting labor relations; and The NLRB Today, an update of rulings, regulations, and personnel changes in that agency.
Throughout the year, COLLE provides a virtual community for members with regular e-updates and member e-surveys on critical labor issues.
Benefits of Membership
- Three meetings annually in a confidential, interactive setting
- Ongoing monitoring of NLRB decisions to ensure laws and precedents are followed
- Access to experienced peers and expert legal counsel
- Guest speakers from the NLRB and other key agencies
- Updates on important legal precedents, rulings, and legislation
- Washington insiders’ views on political climate and NLRB
Review of Current Cases
- Dana Corporation
- New York New York
- State of California v. Safeway
- NLRB Bannering Cases
- FedEx Home Delivery v. NLRB
- Guard Publishing Co.
- Dana/Metaldyne Corporation
- Laurel Baye Health Care
- Winnett v. Caterpillar
- Oakwood Healthcare, Inc.
- Challenges to Two-Member Board Decisions
Recent Speakers
- NLRB Chairman
- General Counsel, NLRB
- NLRB Board Members
- Associate General Counsel, NLRB Division of Advice
- FMCS Director
Who Should Join?
If you have decision-making authority for labor or industrial relations in your company or are in-house or independent counsel to such a specialist, consider joining the Council on Labor Law Equality. For more information, contact Bill Bruce at 212-852-0397.