Who We Are: Excellence
We know the law. We practically wrote the law. Through the over 130 published PERC cases Cline and Associates and their attorneys have presented the cutting edge arguments that established or refined case precedent. Cases establishing the right to prevent unilateral changes in health insurance premiums, health insurance coverage, minimum staffing, safety practices, workload quotas, light duty policies, position assignments, union release time, discipline procedures, just cause protection and other important working conditions have been handled by Cline and his attorneys. We have been involved in leading cases expanding the right of employees to be free from workplace discrimination and engage in union activities. And we have broadened the right of labor organizations to engage in collective bargaining by restricting management rights, and confirming the union right to demand information from employers.
Senior Partner Cline virtually and literally “wrote the book” on your rights. His book, “The Rights of Washington Public Safety Employees” is the leading law book on Washington public safety employees’ legal rights. Cline and Associates and their attorneys continue to refine and develop their legal knowledge base and put it to use for your advantage.
Our legal team is supported by a state of the art negotiations and arbitration database. Cline and Associates are supported by Kate Kremer. Kate graduated from law school in 1987 and has been an integral part of our arbitration and negotiations team since 1995. We constantly update our resources to ensure that we present the best and up to date information to make your case as strong as it can be. Our 15 year investment in our database and related proprietary resources totals in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. When you retain us, you are acquiring a share of that investment. Cline and Associates has an abiding commitment to continue to refine and develop its tools.
We know that excellence also requires efficient and cost-effective delivery of services. You and your members have finite resources. Intelligent decisions have to be made about allocating your legal resources and thoroughness has a cost. But, we emphatically reject the budget model of public safety representation that underestimates the long term impact of how you approach your representation issues.
Our service model is based on what we consider a “value” model of representation. Such a model, we believe, distinguishes itself from “budget” representation systems by refusing to extend retainers below a rate necessary to achieve appropriate staffing and support. We believe that low bid arrangements often lead to diminished service. Perceived lower cost representation systems that reduce actual effectiveness, in the long run, are more expensive to you and your members. We believe our “value” model of representation strikes a sensible balance between on cost without sacrificing necessary quality.
Budget retainer systems, in our estimation, fall short on the penny wise, pound foolish principle. When a simple half percent difference in the settlement can cost you $30 per month, we think saving $5 to $10 a month on budget retainers is not sensible. Our retainer pricing model seeks to fairly charge organizations for their services and does not involve one group subsidizing another at another expense. To provide smaller groups the benefits of ur representation, we have willingly extended alternative retainer arrangements without shortchanging other clients. We are committed to bargaining at the table for as many sessions as it takes to get the right deal and, if settlement is not achieved, arbitrating with the most forceful and thorough possible case. We are not intimidated or eclipsed by big firm lawyers.
We have an uncompromising commitment to quality. We reinvest your retainer payment in our always improving services and information resources. We also strive to provide proper staffing with fair employee compensation and benefits. With our dedication and years of experience, we pursue your interests. Our track record demonstrates that we get the job done right.