The business of education is teaching and learning. But tensions between teachers and administration can disrupt "business as usual." At Robbins, Schwartz, Nicholas, Lifton & Taylor, we believe that positive labor relations begin with skillfully negotiated contracts that address employees' interests - without sacrificing the employer's flexibility and right to manage district operations. Our approach to bargaining fosters collaboration, identifies critical contract language and fringe benefits issues, and finds alternative solutions to difficult contract problems. Because we have successfully negotiated more than 1,000 collective bargaining contracts for public education, most frequently with the Illinois Education Association and Illinois Federation of Teachers, Robbins, Schwartz has developed statewide credibility as a firm, but fair negotiator.

Collective bargaining and contract interpretation: Getting to yes. Getting to yes. Because contracts that satisfy both employees and management reduce the likelihood of future grievances and unfair labor practices, Robbins, Schwartz uses both traditional methods and alternative "win-win" negotiation techniques to focus collective bargaining on mutual interests. Once contracts are in place, we help administrators interpret their provisions, guiding them toward defensible positions likely to withstand any challenge.

Fewer grievances, less grief. If management and labor establish positive relations at the bargaining table, fewer grievances will occur. Yet it's not always possible to avoid problems. So Robbins, Schwartz encourages clients to seek our counsel early - whenever they anticipate circumstances likely to produce grievances. When contract provisions such as disciplinary procedures or leave policies require interpretation, we help clients adopt defensible positions at the outset. And when grievances or other employee claims arise, Robbins, Schwartz successfully defends those positions in all venues.

Measuring teacher performance. Where statutory changes establish challenging new guidelines and procedures for teacher certification and evaluation, these changes often raise more questions than they answer. Robbins, Schwartz works with clients to establish appropriate and defensible procedures, identify related bargaining issues, and ensure compliance with statutory mandates. When a tenured teacher is rated "unsatisfactory," we work closely with the administration to draft a comprehensive remediation plan and to effectively document the teacher's performance under the plan.

Statutory and regulatory compliance: Going the distance. Beyond the periodic events of contracts, grievances, teacher certification and evaluation, lies a full range of labor and employment concerns - and Robbins, Schwartz offers the insight and experience to resolve these critical employment issues, while minimizing publicity and animosity:

• ADA requirements and the obligation to accommodate disabled employees by providing assistance, reassigning non-essential job duties, or extending leaves of absence;
• EEO issues that arise when employees or applicants in a protected class allege they have been treated in a discriminatory manner;
• Sexual harassment/sexual discrimination complaints and charges resulting from conflicts between employees or adverse personnel actions; and
• Constitutional issues that arise when employees speak out publicly about educational policies or controversial social issues.

Through preventive counsel, Robbins, Schwartz puts our clients in a winning position from the outset. But thirty years of experience teaches us to recognize which disputes are negotiable and which are destined for the courtroom. Through aggressive advocacy, in state, federal and appellate courts, EEOC and other venues, we validate winning positions with consistently winning results.

In-service training for educators. Robbins, Schwartz's experienced and proactive counsel extends beyond day-to-day advice to in-service and off-site seminars that address collective bargaining, sexual harassment, employee misconduct investigations, teacher evaluations, ADA and FMLA compliance, and other critical workplace issues. By helping clients learn to help themselves, Robbins, Schwartz, Nicholas, Lifton & Taylor provides educational institutions with the tools they need to establish a productive workplace, allowing teaching and learning to remain the priority.