Related Practices

Admitted to Practice

Washington, 1997
Western District of Washington, 2000
Eastern District of Washington, 2010

Peter G. Finch

Associate

Download vCard

Bellevue

T425.646.6123

F425.646.6199

Peter Finch is a labor and employment attorney who defends employers against unfair labor practice charges. He represents employers before administrative agencies and in collective bargaining negotiations and counsels on union avoidance and how to effectively respond to organizing campaigns. Peter also helps employers comply with local ordinances related to wages and benefits.

Prior to joining Davis Wright Tremaine, Peter was an attorney for 14 years at the National Labor Relations Board, where he led prosecutions of unfair labor practice allegations, including bad faith bargaining, surface bargaining, unlawful union signatory agreements, strike misconduct, lockouts, retaliatory discharges, Beck objections, and unions' failure to fairly represent employees.

While at the NLRB, Peter also served as pre-and post-election hearing officer, conducted elections, and wrote election-related decisions. Peter’s experience working in the field and in the Office of the General Counsel (Division of Advice) gives him a unique perspective and understanding of the board’s decision-making process, policies, and procedures.

Peter speaks regularly with human resources professionals regarding developments in labor and employment law and is dedicated to advising non-union employers on their rights and obligations under the National Labor Relations Act.

Representative Experience

Employment and labor counseling on protected used of social media

Interpret recent NLRB decisions and advise employers on handbook provisions, rules, and policies governing employees’ use of social media in banking, hospitality, health care, entertainment, and other industries. (2012)

Labor contract interpretation for medical center

Prevailed in contract interpretation matter regarding assignment of work to non-union personnel by arguing work at issue was primarily managerial and supervisory and that parties’ past practices and side agreements were irrelevant in light of superseding contractual language. (2012)

Labor law counseling for international hospitality employer

Counseled international employer in confidential negotiations with consortium of labor unions regarding development of entertainment venue. (2012)

Labor negotiations for daily newspaper

Served as lead negotiator in bargaining for a successor agreement, obtaining significant concessions regarding sub-contracting, the elimination of past practices and additional flexibility to allow the employer to allocate resources more efficiently. (2012)

Labor relations for hospice care provider

Defeated unfair labor practice allegation by upholding 50-year precedent governing employers’ right during a contract hiatus to cease collection of union dues from employees; settlement relieved employer of any responsibility for unpaid dues during contract hiatus. (2012)

Labor relations for major cable services provider

Obtained dismissal of allegation that employer’s policy requiring employees to pay for lost or damaged equipment was unlawful. Board decision recognized employer’s broad discretion to consider myriad factors when determining the level of discipline issued to employees. (2012)

Labor relations for retail grocery store chain

Successfully defended retail grocery store chain against allegation of discriminatory discharge brought by former employee who resorted to social and alternative media to vilify employer, garner public support and mount a union organizing campaign during the NLRB’s investigation. (2012)

Strategic counseling on organizing campaigns

Counseled outpatient surgical center on strategic response to organized walkout by non-union nurses, enabling employer to terminate manager responsible for organizing the walkout and successfully defended subsequent NLRB charge of discrimination. (2012)