Helping Find the Right Path Forward

All in a Day’s Work
Castellini negotiates union contracts, manages labor matters with Dinsmore

Success in the business world boils down to employees, and for organizations as large as Castellini Group of Companies, risks often accompany success.  Preparing for those risks and preserving the best interests of the business requires a delicate balance, which can only be struck through proper planning and a clear vision.

With Castellini and its approximately 1,500 employees, Dinsmore has a long history of taking a proactive approach and partnering with our client to provide counsel on critical labor and employment matters.  We have assisted various Castellini entities in negotiating with the unions that represent employees and providing advice about the administration of the resulting collective bargaining agreements.  Currently, approximately 400 employees are covered by three separate collective bargaining agreements at locations in Ohio and Kentucky.

Following several acquisitions of related companies over the years, most notably Crosset Company, our team also has worked closely with company management on complex labor issues, including the recognition of the existing union and the integration of unionized and non-unionized employees into the Castellini family.  We also provided counsel with regard to a complex decertification election at Club Chef in which the employees voted to no longer be part of a union, where all of the company’s campaign materials, as well as the NLRB election ballot, were produced in three languages.  Additionally, when Castellini has closed sites to consolidate aspects of its operations, we have handled both the termination of existing collective bargaining agreements and the preparation of separation agreements for both union and non-union employees.

In addition to traditional labor counseling, our team also provides employment counseling and advice in a wide variety of areas, including matters involving individual employees, the implementation of affirmative action plans,  providing supervisory training, and addressing non-compete concerns involving potential and former employees.  On the regulatory side, we interface with EEOC and OSHA representatives, and have represented Castellini in dealings with the Department of Transportation, as well as the Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Program.

The relationship we share with Castellini is akin to a partnership.  Given the size and scope of Castellini Group of Companies, there have been very few issues over the years that have resulted in employee or union grievances, arbitrations, charges, lawsuits or similar proceedings.  This exemplary record is due not only to ongoing diligence of Castellini management and the high level of integrity with which it operates, but also to its recognition of the importance of involving counsel early-on when decisions may have labor and employment implications.

We work closely with Castellini to achieve their business goals, enabling them to achieve their objectives of operating with integrity and maintaining a trustworthy relationship with both union and non-union employees.  Their efforts to involve us early in projects and reach out to us proactively to discuss proposed actions, enables us to find the right path forward, together.