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Employment & Labor Law for Public Safety Agencies
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Collective Bargaining - Duty to Bargain
After ICE altered how it calculated overtime pay owed to certain employees, a union representing employees filed a grievance complaining that the policy was changed without first bargaining over the issue. A federal appeals court agreed with the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) that ICE had no duty to bargain before changing its overtime policy because ICE’s previous policy was unlawful. The previous policy of excluding leave time was unlawful under a simple reading of the 1997 Guidance and the 2002 amendments to the regulations. American Federation of Government Employees National Council v. FLRA, #18-1195, 2019 U.S. App. Lexis 17356, 2019 WL 2426215 (D.C. Cir.).
The California Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) found that the City of San Diego violated a California statute, the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act, when the mayor made a policy decision to advance a citizens’ pension reform initiative to amend the city charter without meeting and conferring with the affected employees’ unions. The California Supreme Court upheld the finding that the mayor’s actions violated the city’s meet and confer obligations, and then ordered an intermediate state appeals court to “address the appropriate judicial remedy for the violation.” The appeals court rejected the unions’ request to invalidate the Initiative as a judicial remedy, concluding that the Initiative’s validity was more appropriately addressed in a separate “quo warranto” proceeding available under Calif. Code Civ. Proc., §§ 803-811. [“Quo warranto” is a legal action requiring a person or entity to show what authority they have for exercising some right, power, or franchise they claim to hold]. Additionally, the appeals court concluded it needed to modify the PERB's compensatory and cease-and-desist remedies to prevent the remedies from impermissibly encroaching upon constitutional law, statutory law, and policy matters involving initiatives, elections, and the doctrine of preemption unrelated to the Act. Boling v. Public Employment Relations Bd., #D069626A, 33 Cal. App. 5th 376, 2019 Cal. App. Lexis 242.
An officer was fired by the U.S. Capitol Police for misconduct, with the termination approved by the Capitol Police Board. He challenged his firing under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement, and an arbitrator ruled that the firing constituted excessive punishment, directing the employer to instead suspend him for 30-days and then reinstate him along with an award of back pay and benefits. No deadline was set for compliance. The Board of Directors of the Congressional Accountability Office of Compliance rejected the employer’s exceptions to the arbitration award, and a 30-day deadline for compliance was set. Just before the deadline expired, the employer announce that it would not comply. The union brought charges of an unfair labor practice before the Office of Compliance (OOC) alleging an unfair labor practice. The OOC’s General Counsel filed an unfair labor practice complaint with the Board, and a hearing officer sustained the charge. The Board subsequently agreed, rejecting the employer’s assertion that the arbitrator lacked jurisdiction over employee termination and that the subject of termination was barred from inclusion in a collective bargaining agreement because employee termination is specifically provided for by federal statute. A federal appeals court upheld this ruling and granted enforcement. The Capitol Police Administrative Technical Corrections Act, 124 Stat. 49, the court concluded, does not require the Capitol Police Board’s participation in employee termination decisions, so that matter was not “specifically provided for,” and could be bargained over. U.S. Capitol Police v. Office of Compliance, #18-1201, 2019 U.S. App. Lexis 2469, 2019 WL 321167 (Fed. Cir.).
In April 2016, a Chicago Police Accountability Task Force report stated that the Chicago Police Department’s “response to violence is not sufficiently imbued with Constitutional policing tactics.” Then in January 2017, the U.S. Department of Justice released a report concluding that the Chicago Police Department was engaged in a pattern or practice of the unconstitutional use of force. In August 2017, the state of Illinois sued the city of Chicago, asserting that the Chicago Police Department’s policies and practices on the use-of-force violated both the federal constitution and Illinois state law. Two days after the lawsuit was filed, the parties moved to stay the proceedings while they negotiated a consent decree. Almost immediately, the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 7, representing Chicago police officers, publicly opposed any consent decree, expressing fears that the decree might impair its collective bargaining rights. For months, the union monitored the ongoing negotiations and met informally with the state’s representatives. But the union waited until June 2018 to file a motion in court to intervene in the suit. The trial court denied the motion to intervene as untimely. A federal appeals court upheld this result, finding that the union knew right from the beginning that a consent decree might impact its interests but delayed its motion for nearly a year. Illinois v. Chicago, #18-2805, 2019 U.S. App. Lexis 10 (7th Cir.).
An arbitrator agreed with the police
union that management violated the collective bargaining agreement when it
unilaterally implemented a body-worn camera program without bargaining over the
issue. Oklahoma City and FOP L-123, FMCS #16-50120-6 (Lumbley, Jun. 14, 2016).
A union representing
Los Angeles police officers sued to attempt to invalidate a departmental order
limiting the individual discretion of officers as to when to impound cars
driven by unlicensed drivers. The union believed that the order conflicted with
state statutes, resulted in fewer such cars being impounded, and could lead to
civil liability for its members for failing to carry out mandatory duties
required by state statutes. Rejecting these arguments, an intermediate state
appeals court found that the order was within the broad discretion of the
police chief, did not conflict with state statutes, and did not create new law,
but merely implemented the state statutes. The union had no standing to
challenge it in court, and had not shown that it fell within the topics of
hours, wages, and working conditions that constituted the scope of its
representation. Los Angeles Police Protective League v. City of Los Angeles,
#B251796, 2014 Cal. App. Lexis 1180.
Substantial evidence supported the conclusion
that a city did not "meet and confer in good faith" with a police
union, as required by a California state statute, before attempting to
implement a reorganization of the police department's command staff. The meet
and confer requirement applied because the plan included demoting some officers
and laying off at least one of them. The trial court did not abuse its
discretion in awarding the union attorneys' fees because the meet and confer
obligation was an important right, its enforcement benefitted the public
significantly, and the burden of the litigation costs were disproportionate
because of the small size of the union. Indio Police Command Unit Association
v. City of Indio, #G050051, 2014 Cal. App. Lexis 906.
A state Employment Relations Board made a
determination that a town had violated a provision of the New York Civil
Service Law when it unilaterally ended the practice of assigning town-owned
vehicles to certain employees on a permanent basis to drive to and from work.
The highest court in New York found that the determination was supported by
substantial evidence and reasonably applied applicable precedent, but that the
Board's remedial order was unreasonable in requiring the town to restore the
vehicle assignments to the employees affected by the change. The section of the
law at issue made it an improper practice for a public employer to refuse to
negotiate in good faith with the bargaining agent for its employees, and many
of the employees who lost "take home" vehicles belonged to blue- or
white-collar collective bargaining units. The case was remanded for the
fashioning of a proper remedial order. Town
of Islip v. New York State Public Employment Relations Board, #95, 2014 N.Y.
Lexis 1300, 2014 NY Slip Op 4043.
A county had the right to reduce the work
schedules for an unspecified number of correctional peace officers. The
reserved management rights in a memorandum of understanding (MOU) contemplated
that this could be done so long as the county first met and conferred with the
union about the implementation of the plan. Accordingly, since the county had
complied with that obligation, the union was not entitled to a writ of mandate
challenging the decision to reduce hours for the officers for budgetary
reasons. Santa Clara County Correctional Peace Officers' Association v. County
of Santa Clara, #H037418, 224 Cal. App. 4th 1016, 2014 Cal. App. Lexis 245.
The federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) appealed a
ruling that it had to bargain with a union of employees over installation of
metal detectors at a compound in a high security facility. The metal detectors
were placed where prisoners had to pass when going in or out of an exercise
yard. A federal appeals court ruled that the order should be enforced in part,
but ordered further proceedings to determine whether subsequent changed
circumstances resulting from the changed use of the metal detectors meant that
the order to bargain over the issue should be revised. U.S. DOJ v. FLRA,
#12-1383, 2013 U.S. App. Lexis 24925 (D.C. Cir.).
Two cities appealed separate judgments in
favor of a police union ordering them to adopt collective bargaining
procedures. The Missouri Supreme Court held that each city was required to
collectively bargain with the union elected by their officers as their exclusive
bargaining agent as this right was guaranteed by the state Constitution. The
cities were not excused from having to do this because the employees
represented by the union were not covered by procedures codified in a state
public sector labor law. The court ordered the cities to recognize the unions
as the collective bargaining agent for officers and sergeants and to begin to
meet and confer with the union for collective bargaining purposes. E. Mo. Coal.
of Police v. City of Chesterfield, #SC91736, 2012 Mo. Lexis 278.
The Massachusetts Dept. of Labor Relations
ordered a city to cease from assigning repairs, maintenance and replacement
activities to bargaining unit members without first giving the union prior
notice and an opportunity to bargain or go to impasse over the decision. City
of Newton and Newton Firefighters L-863 IAFF, #MUP-05-4529 (MDLR 23012).
A collective bargaining agreement entered into by the
state of Delaware and its agencies required that overtime be paid after 37.5
hours of work per week. The agreement also established a "career
ladder" for promotions in some positions based on the satisfaction of
specified requirements. Despite the agreement, the state changed the overtime
minimum to pay for work over 40 hours instead of 37.5, as well as freezing the
career ladder temporarily. The state Court of Chancery ruled that the state was
not required to bargain over nonmandatory subjects of collective bargaining,
which included overtime and the career ladder. Unfair labor practice charges
were properly dismissed. The court further found that provisions of the
collective bargaining agreement which conflicted with the legislature's
appropriations act were unenforceable. Am. Fed'n of State, County, & Mun.
Employees v. State Court:, #CA 6159-VCP, 2012 Del. Ch. Lexis 249.
An Illinois state labor relations board's
decision that a consolidation of training districts for probationary police
officers was not a mandatory subject for collective bargaining was upheld by an
intermediate state appeals court. The city's failure to bargain over the issue
was not an unfair labor practice. The city had an inherent right to adopt the
most efficient method of training new police recruits. Any benefit that would
come from bargaining over the question was outweighed by the possible burden it
would place on the city's managerial authority. Fraternal Order of Police v.
Illinois Labor Relations Board, #1-10-3215, 2011 Ill. App. Lexis 1196; 2011 IL
App (1st) 103215.
A state labor relations board correctly ruled
that a Village committed an unfair labor practice in failing to bargain in good
faith with a firefighters union over the inclusion of a "minimum
manning" section in a collective bargaining agreement. A balancing test
was properly applied in determining that the issue was a mandatory subject of
collective bargaining. Village of Oak Lawn v. Illinois Labor Relations Board,
#1-10-3417, 2011 IL App (1st) 103417, 2011 Ill. App. Lexis 974 (1st Dist.).
A California city is not required to
bargain with the firefighters' union before deciding that firefighters must be
laid off as a cost-saving measure. "A public employer must, however, give
its employees an opportunity to bargain over the implementation of the
decision, including the number of employees to be laid off, and the timing of
the layoffs, as well as the effects of the layoffs on the workload and safety
of the remaining employees." IAFF L-188 v. PERB (City of Richmond),
#S172377, 2011 Cal. Lexis 516.
FLRA upholds an arbitration award that found that
management had violated the bargaining agreement by unilaterally implementing a
policy that restricted when certain employees could use annual leave. Social
Secur. Admin. and AFGE C-220, #0-AR-4485, 65 FLRA No. 70 (2010).
Federal Labor Relations Authority affirms
arbitration award that determined that the Border Patrol failed to bargain with
the union over the implementation of changes to body armor requirements. D.H.S.
Customs and Border Protection and AFGE Natl. Border Patrol Council, #0-AR-4494,
65 FLRA No. 23, 65 FLEA 88 (2010).
State labor board overturns management’s decision
to remove exercise equipment from fire stations. Firefighters had used the
equipment for ten years, without a recorded injury, and the equipment was not
purchased with city funds. City of Newton and F/F Assn, L-8632, #MUP-08-5369
(Mass. Lab. Rltns. 2010). Pennsylvania Supreme Court holds that a municipal
employer must bargain with its police labor organization over a ban on the use
of tobacco products in the workplace and in municipal vehicles. "While
local legislation which promotes clean air and warns of the risks of tobacco
use may be laudatory, it may not serve as a barrier to negotiations over this
topic when it constitutes a working condition subject to mandatory
bargaining." Bor. of Ellwood City v. Pa. Labor Rels. Bd., #44 WAP 2008,
2010 Pa. Lexis 1532.
New York's highest court holds that management
does not have to bargain a change from urine testing to radioimmunoassay hair
testing for the drug screening of uniformed officers. City of New York v.
Patrolmen's Benev. Assn., #205, 2009 NY Slip Op 9314, 2009 N.Y. Lexis 4486.
In a failure to bargain charge, the New York
Public Employment Relations Board overturns a police chief's order prohibiting
the consumption of alcohol during the eight hours preceding duty periods.
"… we conclude that the ... evidence clearly demonstrates that the City's
prohibition against police officers consuming intoxicating beverages prior to
reporting for duty is mission-related. However, we also concur... that there is
no evidence ... to support the City's claim that the new eight-hour rule was
necessary, or that the City faced a new or acute problem requiring a more
stringent rule." N.Y. State Law Enf. Officers Union C-82, AFSCME L-2841
and City of Albany, PERB #U-27105, 2009 NYPER Lexis 33 (2009).
Although Wisconsin sheriffs are not required to
bargain or arbitrate impasses that impact a sheriff’s constitutional duties,
the staffing of an x-ray and metal detector security screening station is not
among those tasks. The sheriff was required to bargain the replacement of
full-time bargaining unit deputies with part-time special deputies. Washington
Co. v. Deputy Sheriff’s Assn., #2008AP1210, 2009 Wisc. App. Lexis 426 (2d
Dist.).
California appellate court holds that a municipality’s
decision to lay off firefighters is not a mandatory subject of bargaining,
although the effects of a layoff decision, such as workload and safety
concerns, are negotiable. IAFF L-188 v. PERB (Richmond), #A114959, 2009 Cal.
App. Lexis 373 (1st Dist.).
With one exception, the
D.C. Circuit finds that facial hair policies for customs officers are not
negotiable because they safeguard CBP uniformed officers “by ensuring that they
are readily identifiable to the public and by increasing the officers’ ability
to effectively employ law enforcement techniques.” NTEU v. FLRA, #08-1015, 2008
U.S. App. Lexis 25581 (D.C. Cir.).
Rhode Island court declines to hear a union’s request
for an order enjoining the governor from increasing health care deductibles for
state workers to compensate for a revenue shortfall. Although a governor lacks
the authority to suspend state laws when he deems it expedient, the Labor
Relations Board has the primary duty to expeditiously determine and enjoin
unfair labor practices. Rhode Island C-94 AFSCME v. Carcieri, P.C.#08-5073,
2008 R.I. Super. Lexis 99 & 117, 185 LRRM (BNA) 2372 (R.I. Super. 2008).
Federal appeals panel partially agrees that Custom’s
management is not required to bargain over the agency’s grooming standards.
Customs and Border Protection policy prohibits all facial hair other than
beards maintained for medical reasons and “conservative” mustaches kept within
“the corners of the mouth” and above “the upper vermillion of the lip.” It
remanded a proposal addressing beards, because there was a lack of evidence
about the use of respirators by customs officers. NTEU v. Labor Relations
Auth., #081015, 2008 U.S. App. Lexis 25581 (D.C. Cir.).
Management violated the bargaining agreement when
it began deducting federal taxes from firefighters' uniform allowances without
negotiating with the union. The city could have opted to put the burden of tax
payments on individual firefighters. City of Fostoria, Ohio and IAFF L-325, 125
LA (BNA) 801, FMCS Case #07/04793 (Larney, 2008).
Appellate court holds that Boston must bargain
over the issue of creating separate locker rooms for women sergeants. Although
the bargaining agreement did not require rank-specific locker room space, the
city provides rank-specific locker rooms for male supervising officers, but not
for female sergeants. "Separate locker rooms alleviate potential tensions
between superior officers and the patrol officers whom they are required to
supervise and discipline." King v. City of Boston, #06-P-1013, 71 Mass.
App. 460, 883 N.E.2d 316, 2008 Mass. App. Lexis 322, 103 FEP Cases (BNA) 54.
A divided New Jersey Supreme Court dismisses a
failure to bargain charge. Although Port Authority police officers were
assigned to JFK airport, when another entity took over management of the
international terminal, the Port Authority went out of the business of
operating that facility. No officers were furloughed, and all were transferred
to other assignments. In re Port Auth. v. Employment Relations Panel, A-6-2007,
194 N.J. 314, 944 A.2d 611, 2008 N.J. Lexis 313, 184 LRRM (BNA) 2016.
Arbitrator holds that management "can set
and enforce performance standards and enforce work rules [and a] party doesn't
lose a contractual right just because it has not been put to use."
However, management cannot suddenly begin to enforce a dormant right and must
send the union formal notice with a reasonable future date of any intended
implementation. County of San Bernardino and SEBA, 124 LA (BNA) 1645
(Grabuskie, 2008).
Unpaid volunteer police officers are not entitled
to rights of collective bargaining. Griffith v. Lanier, #07-7072, 2008 U.S.
App. Lexis 7149 (D.C. Cir.).
Appellate court sustains an unfair labor practice
charge when management unilaterally transferred work of supervising state
police dispatchers from members of a bargaining unit consisting of police
officers to civilians that were represented by another labor organization.
Penn. State Police v. PLRB, #2274-CD-2005, 912 A.2d 909,183 LRRM (BNA) 2923;
appeal denied 928 A.2d 1292 (2007).
California appellate court concludes that a
public employer committed an unfair labor practice when it excluded members of
the bargaining unit from parking in newly-built parking structures without
first giving the association an opportunity to bargain over the issue. Calif.
Faculty Assn. v. PERB (Cal. State Univ.), #C054725, 2008 Cal. App. Lexis 291
(3rd Dist.).
A police chief may not deal directly with
officers in matters of hours or terms of employment "because it violates
the union's statutory right to speak exclusively for the employees who have
elected it to serve as their sole representative." Where, however,
management has reserved the "the right to assign each police officer to
different work schedules," management is not obliged to bargain with the
union. City of Marlborough and Police Patrol Officers' Assn., #MUP-03-3963
(Mass. Emp. Rel. Bd. 2008).
Police Commissioner was entitled to judicial
intervention reversing a Board of Collective Bargaining determination that
officer drug testing by radioimmunoassay was a unilateral and impermissible
change in conditions of employment and a mandatory subject of bargaining with
the involved unions. City of New York v. PBA, #400007/07, 2007 N.Y. Misc. Lexis
8803.
Appellate court confirms the right of a
Pennsylvania municipality to adopt an ordinance that bans smoking in public
buildings, overturning a Labor Board ruling that required the city to recognize
a past practice. The ordinance did not prohibit employees from using tobacco
while on duty; it only established that specific locations were smoke free.
Bor. of Ellwood City v. Penna. Labor Rel. Bd., #473 C.D. 2007, 2008 Pa. Commw.
Lexis 26.
Arbitrator holds that management did not have a
unilateral right to issue a policy on workplace violence that involved employee
searches. Policies, rules, and regulations that affect wages, hours and other
terms and conditions of employment are mandatory subjects of bargaining. City
of Okmulgee. Okla. and FOP L-96, 124 LA (BNA) 423, FMCS Case #071120/51434-5
(Walker, 2007).
"It is not bad faith for management to
declare an end to the negotiations before an agreement on additional proposals is
reached by declaring it has no duty to bargain over such proposals. The fact
that the agency did, in fact, negotiate for a while does not mean it must
continue to negotiate on matters which the agency has no duty to bargain over.
The agency has a right to break off negotiations at any time when it is or has
been discussing an issue upon which there is no duty to bargain." Federal
Bureau of Prisons and AFGE L-801, FMCS #06/57219, 124 LA (BNA) 622 (Daly,
2007).
Wisconsin appellate panel upholds a state
Employment Relations Cmsn. determination that management's decision to
eliminate three firefighter positions and return to a volunteer work force was
a mandatory subject of bargaining, even if a budget shortfall arises due to the
purchase of new fire truck. Edgerton Fire Prot. Dist. v. WERC, #2006-AP-000862,
2007 Wis.App. Lexis 717, 182 LRRM (BNA) 2928 (Unpub. 2007).
A California municipality's decision to contract
with the county sheriff for law enforcement services and to abolish own police
department, is subject to the meet and confer requirements of the labor
provisions in the Government Code. Rialto Police Benefit Assn. v. City of
Rialto, #E039649, 155 Cal.App.4th 1295, 2007 Cal.App. Lexis 1653 (4th Dist.).
Arbitrator finds that management violated the
bargaining agreement by unilaterally adding a spousal surcharge or additional
payment for health coverage. City of Painesville and IBEW L-673, 123 LA (BNA)
1563, FMCS Case #06/58893 (Cohen, 2007).
Wisconsin sheriff violated the state's bargaining
laws by outsourcing jail food preparation. "... the Sheriff's hiring and
firing of personnel to provide food service to the county jail is not a time
immemorial, principal, and important duty that characterizes and distinguishes
the office of sheriff, and as such, is not within the Sheriff's constitutional
powers." Kocken v. Wis. C-40 AFSCME, #2005AP2742, 2007 WI 72, 732 N.W.2d
828 2007 Wis. Lexis 400.
Illinois appellate court concludes, 2-to-1, that
issues relating to the promotion of firefighters to the next highest rank,
although outside the bargaining unit, is a mandatory subject of bargaining.
City of Bloomington v. Ill. Lab. Rel. Bd., #4-06-0774, 2007 WL 1343807, 181
LRRM (BNA) 3121 (4th Dist.).
Massachusetts Labor Relations Commission rejects
a union complaint that management failed to bargain over a change in
promotional procedures. Although in the past the person with the highest exam
score was promoted, the chief interviewed the candidates before making a
selection. It was not an unfair labor practice to select a candidate with more
experience. Town of Brookline and Brookline Police Assn., #MUP-04-4069 (2007).
Appellate court sustains an arbitrator's finding
that the management's new policy to reduce staffing on fire engines violated
the bargaining agreement. The appellate panel found that the arbitrator's
decision drew its essence from the agreement and the arbitrator did not exceed
his authority when he gave "great weight" to the staffing requirement
suggested by the NFPA. City of Dayton and IAFF L-136, # 21681, 2007-Ohio-1337,
2007 Ohio App. Lexis 1207 (2nd Dist.).
Arbitrator holds that a county violated the
bargaining agreement when it denied a promotion to a worker seeking an
investigator position because she lacked an associate's degree, where there was
nothing in the contract requiring the degree. Franklin County and Prof. Guild
L-1960, 123 LA (BNA) 314, FMCS Case #6/59036 (Smith, 2006).
Rhode Island fire district is entitled to summary
judgment where there have been no unionized employees for more than 10 years
and the parties have not had a bargaining agreement for more than 14 years.
Lime Rock Fire District Inc. v. Fire Fighters L-3023, 2007 R.I. Super. Lexis
18, 181 L.R.R.M. (BNA) 2412 (R.I. Super.).
A city's decision to hire retirees to overcome an
acute shortage of police officers, which could not be remedied by the ordinary
processes of recruitment and hiring, is a fundamental managerial policy
decision and promotes public safety. Management has no duty to meet and confer
with the affected bargaining units. Sacramento P.O.A. v. City of Sacramento,
#C042493, Cal. App. Lexis 122 (3d App. Dist. 2007). [N/R]
N.Y. appellate court concludes that management
had a duty to bargain over creating police positions and staffing them with
civilians and that the union had standing to raise the issue in court.
Westchester Co. PBA v Westchester Co., #2005-02969, Index #9680/04, 2006 NY
Slip Op 09456, 2006 N.Y. App. Div. Lexis 14953 (2nd App. Dept. 2006). [N/R]
State Police had a duty to bargain over the
replacement of troopers with civilians at regional dispatch centers. Penn.
State Police v. Penn. Labor Rel. Bd., #2274 C.D. 2005, 2006 Pa. Commw. Lexis
671 (2006). [N/R]
Arbitrator rules that management committed an
unfair labor practice by failing to bargain over a union request for union
stewards to travel while on duty to attend a national labor convention.
Internal Rev. Serv. and NTUE, 122 LA (BNA) 1673 (Abrams. 2006). {N/R}
New York appellate court rejects management's
argument that it was not required to arbitrate a decision to stop reimbursement
of Medicare premiums to retired firefighters. Although retired employees cannot
initiate arbitration the union can act in their behalf, because the Medicare
payments were recognized in the bargaining agreement. City of Elmira and IAFF
L-709, #500650, 2006 NY Slip Op 08694, 2006 N.Y. App. Div. Lexis 13782 (2006).
{N/R}
Pennsylvania appellate court holds that a county
violated the state's Public Employee Relations Act by failing to engage
interest arbitration with the union before contracting with a private firm to
provide food services at the prison. Snyder Co. Prison Bd. v. Penn. Labor Rel.
Bd., #118 C.D. 2006, 2006 Pa. Commw. Lexis 631 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2006), affirming
#PERA-C-04-450-E (PERB 2005). {N/R}
Massachusetts labor authority could require a
city to adopt the firefighter union's proposal to switch to 24-hour shifts; the
matter was within the scope of collective bargaining and thus subject to
arbitration. Intl. Assn. of Fire Fighters L-2071 v. Bellingham, #05-P-516 67
Mass. App. Ct, 502, 854 N.E.2d 1005, 2006 Mass. App. Lexis 1013 (2006). {N/R}
California city had no obligation to meet and
confer with the POA bargaining representative before conducting a "Vehicle
Stop Data Collection Study," designed to find out if police officers were
engaging in racial profiling. Claremont Police Officers v. City of Claremont,
#S120546, 39 Cal. 4th 623, 47 Cal.Rptr.3d 69, 2006 Cal. Lexis 9518, 180 LRRM
(BNA) 2472 (Cal. 2006). {N/R}
Although public agencies in California have a
unilateral right to establish policy, management may be required to
meet-and-confer with the union over implementation of the policy. Claremont POA
v. City of Claremont, #S120546, 39 Cal. 4th 623, 47 Cal.Rptr.3d 69, 2006 Cal.
Lexis 9518 (Cal. 2006). {N/R}
Arbitrator holds that management had a duty to
negotiate with the union before unilaterally implementing a policy to
discipline civilian police employees for excessive wage garnishments. City of
Cincinnati and AFSCME C-8, 122 LA (BNA) 622 (Immundo, 2006). {N/R}
D.C. Circuit holds that the Dept. of Homeland
Security cannot implement the labor relations portions of its personnel system
[70 Fed. Reg. 5272, dated Feb. 1, 2005] because of the restriction on
collective bargaining. N.T.E.U. v. Chertoff, #05-5436, 452 F.3d 839, 2006 U.S.
App. Lexis 16083, 179 LRRM (BNA) 3073 (D.C. Cir. 2006). {N/R}
Federal court declines to dismiss an ADA suit
brought by a former police officer who had a severe allergy to tobacco smoke.
City made no effort to implement a no-smoking policy with the police union.
Thursby v. City of Scranton, #3:CV-02-2355, 2006 U.S. Dist. Lexis 33475 (M.D.
Penn. 2006). [2006 FP Oct]
National Labor Relations Board, in a 4-1
decision, concludes that private companies that provide passenger and baggage
screening services at airports under a contract with the Transportation
Security Administration are subject to collective bargaining. Firstline Transp.
Security and Int. Union, Security, Police and Fire Prof., Case 17-RC-12354, 347
NLRB No. 40 (NLRB 2006). {N/R}
NJ Public Employment Relations Cmsn. holds that
an employer must bargain over the imposition of progressive discipline for sick
leave abuses. Bor. of Roselle Park and P.B.A. L-27, P.E.R.C. #2006-85, Docket
#SN-2006-033 (NJPERC 2006). {N/R}
N J Public Employment Relations Cmsn. declines to
find, as a matter of law, that management unlawfully installed videocameras in
a hallway and at the front desk of a police station, without bargaining with
the union. Because this was an issue of first impression neither party was
entitled to judgment as a matter of law, and an evidentiary hearing is
required. City of Paterson v. PBA L-1, Docket #CO-2005-138, P.E.R.C. #2006 -50,
32 NJPER 5; 2006 NJPER (LRP) Lexis 4 (NJPERC 2006).{N/R}
Federal appeals court finds that Customs and
Border Protection wrongfully reduced the number of hours for remedial firearms
training without bargaining with the union. AFGE v. FLRA, D.C. Cir., #05-1268,
446 F.3d 162, 2006 U.S. App. Lexis 11237 (D.C. Cir. 2006). [2006 FP Aug]
A Maryland city council may prohibit police
lieutenants and higher ranks from engaging in collective bargaining. Mayor
& City Council of Ocean City v. Bunting, #2484-2004, 168 Md.App. 134, 895
A.2d 1068, 2006 Md. App. Lexis 41, 179 LRRM (BNA) 2607 (Md. Spec. App. 2006).
{N/R}
Arbitrator upholds management's ending of a 4-10
workweek when the contract only provided for that schedule on a permissive,
non-mandatory basis. Dayton FOP L-44 and City of Dayton, AAA # 52-390-00335-04
(Klein, 2006).{N/R}
Michigan arbitrator finds that management did not
violate a bargaining agreement when it unilaterally reverted from a 12-hour
shift schedule to an eight-hour shift schedule. City of Jackson and Police
Labor Council L-70, 121 LA (BNA) 1582 (McDonald, 2005; rptd. 2006).{N/R}
New York municipalities have exclusive authority
to make initial eligibility determinations, and it is not a mandatory subject
of bargaining. Poughkeepsie Prof. Firefighters' Assn. v New York St. Pub. Empl.
Relations Bd., #2006-33, 2006 N.Y. Lexis 569, 2006 NY Slip Op 2289 (2006).
{N/R}
New York's highest court finds a strong public
policy supporting management authority, and holds that a city has no duty to
bargain with the unions over disciplinary procedure or review by arbitration.
Patrolmen's Benev. Assn. of City of N.Y. v. N.Y. State Pub. Empl. Relations
Bd.; Town of Orangetown v. PBA, #32 & 34, 2006 N.Y. Lexis 584 (2006). [2006
FP May]
Pennsylvania appellate court holds that a
municipality cannot pass an ordinance that lessens the benefits of retired
police officers, which benefits were earned in conformity with a valid
collective bargaining agreement. Wilkes-Barre Twp. v. Penn. Lab. Rel. Bd., #
2648 C.D. 2004, 878 A.2d 977, 2005 Pa. Commw. Lexis 358, 178 LRRM (BNA) 2859
(2005). {N/R}
Federal appeals court overturns a FLRA ruling
that excused the Customs Service from bargaining with the union over a proposal
to allow armed agents to make shopping and convenience stops between their
residences and work. The record did not support the FLRA's determination
because there was no explanation for a conclusion that the agency's interests
outweighed the benefits to the employees. NTEU v. FLRA, #04-1433, 2006 U.S.
App. Lexis 3793 (D.C. Cir. 2006). {N/R}
Arbitrator holds that management violated the
bargaining agreement when it denied male police officers use of sick leave for
paternity purposes; although city was following its policy, employees had not
been notified of policy, and unions were not given an opportunity to respond.
City of Farmington Hills and Police Officers Assn., AAA Case No.
54-390-00146-04 , 121 LA (BNA) 569 (Daniel, 2005). {N/R}
In a 2-to-1 decision, an Illinois appellate court
concludes that management did not commit an unfair labor practice by failing to
bargain with unions over the issue of parking fees. Univ. of Ill. v. Lab. Rel.
Bd. (FOP), #4-04-0484, 361 Ill.App.3d 256, 836 N.E.2d 187, 2005 Ill. App. Lexis
1008; Univ. of Ill. v. Lab. Rel. Bd. (SIEU), #4-04-0359, 359 Ill.App.3d 1116,
836 N.E.2d 199, 2005 Ill. App. Lexis 1007 (4th Dist. 2005). {N/R}
Federal Labor Relations Authority orders Customs
and Border Protection to negotiate with the union over the employees' ability
to wear cargo shorts. N.T.E.U. v. Dept. of Homeland Security, 61 FLRA No. 7,
2005 FLRA Lexis 93 (2005). [2006 FP Feb]
Arbitrator rules that Customs and Border
Protection adopted a new Personal Appearance Standard without first bargaining
with the union. He found no evidence that bargaining would impair the agency's
mission. U.S. Bureau of Customs & Border Prot., and N.T.E.U., 43 (2133)
G.E.R.R. (BNA) 1159 (Vaughn, 2005). {N/R}
Illinois appellate court holds that a university
did not have to bargain with the police union over changes in employee parking
arrangements. Bd. of Tr. of the Univ. of Illinois v. IL Lab. Rel. Bd.,
#4-04-0484, 2005 Ill. App. Lexis 1007 (4th Dist. 2005). {N/R}
Arbitrator sustains a union grievance after a
dispatcher volunteered to perform clerical work for $3 an hour less pay. A
member of a bargaining unit cannot make a side deal with the employer. City of
Fairbanks and Public Safety Employees Assn., 121 LA (BNA) 978 (Savage, 2005).
[2006 FP Jan]
Massachusetts Labor Relations Commission holds
that a town improperly negotiated directly with a member of a bargaining unit
and offered to create a light duty position, where no such assignment
previously existed, and improperly terminated the officer when she refused the
position. Town of Harwich and Harwich Police Feder., #MUP-01-2960 (Mass. Lab.
Rel. Cmsn. 2005). [2005 FP Sep]
New York appellate court finds that a city
is not required to bargain with a union over arbitration of employee disability
benefits. Poughkeepsie Firefighters L-596 v. N.Y. PERB, #96151, 792 N.Y.S.2d
637, 2005 N.Y. App. Div. Lexis 2393 (App. Div. 3d Dept. 2005). [2005 FP Aug]
Minnesota appellate court concludes that
management could unilaterally impose a random drug-testing program for
safety-sensitive positions, but must bargain with the union over implementation
of the final plan. Law Enf. Labor Services, Inc. L-158 v. Sherburne Co.,
#A04-1474, 695 N.W.2d 630, 2005 Minn. App. Lexis 467, 177 LRRM (BNA) 2242
(Minn. App. 2005). {N/R}
The Illinois Labor
Relations Board's General Counsel agrees that a city can reduce the number of
fire captains after a retirement, but must bargain with the firefighters' union
over the impact of the decision. Effingham Fire Fighters Assn., L-3084 and City
of Effingham, #S-CA-03-144, 21 PERI 11, 2005 PERI (LRP) Lexis 8 (2005). {N/R}
N.Y. PERB reiterates the general rule that
management cannot negotiate different benefits with a member of the bargaining
unit. It is a separate and additional violation to provide one or more members
of a bargaining unit with benefits in excess of those specified in the
bargaining agreement, regardless of management's motivation or intent,
"because such actions are inherently destructive of a union's
representation rights." East Rochester PBA and East Rochester, # U-25111,
38 NYPER (LRP) P4503; 2005 NYPER (LRP) Lexis 12 (NY PERB, 2005). {N/R}
New York appellate court affirms a holding that
various disciplinary procedures, record expungements, the timing of trials and
the interrogation of officers were non bargainable subjects that would infringe
on the statutory powers of the police commissioner. Patr. Benev. Assn. of City
of N.Y. v. N.Y. State P.E.R.B., #96120, 13 A.D.3d 879, 786 N.Y.S.2d 269, 2004
N.Y. App. Div. Lexis 15282, 176 LRRM (BNA) 2828 (2004). [2005 FP Jun]
Arbitrator holds that management did not violate
the bargaining agreement by requiring new enrollees in the health plan to
document the status of persons they claim as dependents. Enrollment procedures
are an administrative matter and the process does not confer a benefit on
employees. Milwaukee Bd. of Sch. v. Teachers Educ. Assn. 120 LA 279 (Winton
2004). {N/R}
Massachusetts Labor Cmsn. orders a town to
bargain over the use of new defibrillators. The bargaining demand was not
waived by the union's silence until after the defibrillator training was
completed. Town of Somerset and IBPO L-518, #MUP-01-2957 (Mass. Labor Cmsn.,
2004). [2004 FP Dec]
Massachusetts Labor Relations Cmsn. decides that
a city is required to bargain over changes to its "Paid detail
system" of selecting outside employment assignments. City of Boston and
Boston Police Patrolmen's Assn, No. MUP-1758 (MLRC 2004). {N/R}
Illinois Labor Relations Board agrees with a
police union that a change in parking fees for employees is a mandatory subject
of bargaining, because it affected the terms and conditions of employment and
did not involve matters of inherent managerial authority. Illinois FOP Labor
Council v. Bd. of Trustees, Univ. of Illinois, #S-CA-02-038, 20 PERI 84, 2004
PERI (LRP) Lexis 68 (Ill. Lab. Bd. 2004). {N/R}
California Court of Appeal holds that, to remedy
a short-term staffing shortage, a city can hire retired police officers, and
does not have to bargain that issue with the union. Sacramento Police Officers
Assn. v. City of Sacramento, #C042493, 117 Cal. App. 4th 1289, 174 LRRM (BNA)
3085 (3rd App. Dist. 2004). {N/R}
Arbitrator holds that a transit authority
violated the bargaining agreement when it unilaterally changed the workweek of
certain employees from four 10-hour days to five eight-hour days. Bi-State
Devel. Agency and ATU L-788, FMCS #041211/02174-7, 119 LA (BNA) 1588 (Pratte,
2004). {N/R}
New Jersey Public Employment Relations Cmsn.
restrains arbitration over the issue of whether an officer, who was sued after
a shooting, should be re-armed. The issue is not arbitrable because an award
could limit a city's policymaking power to determine the conditions it allows
officers to be armed. City of Newark v. F.O.P. Lodge 12, #SN-2004-13, P.E.R.C.
#2004-36, 2003 NJPER (LRP) Lexis 176, 29 NJPER 174 (N.J. PERC 2003). [2004 FP
Nov]
FLRA regional office concludes that management,
in creating a physical fitness program for Pentagon police officers, was not
required to bargain over a grandfather exemption clause or the creation of a
medical review and physical fitness board. Pentagon Force Protection Agency and
Frat. Order of Police DPS Labor Committee, FLRA Case #WA-CA-04-0251 (Wash.
Region, 2004). [2004 FP Aug]
California Supreme Court stays and depublishes an
appellate court decision that held that a city must bargain with the union over
the adoption of a traffic stops "profiling" policy that was
implemented to prevent racial profiling; the justices will hear the city's
appeal. Claremont POA v. City of Claremont, #S120546, 82 P.3d 747, 8
Cal.Rptr.3d 541, 2004 Cal. Lexis 11; prior decis. at 112 Cal.App.4th 639, 2003
Cal. App. Lexis 1529 (3d Dist. 2003). {N/R}
N.Y. appellate court holds that a city is not
required to bargain with a union over its disciplinary review system, which
predated the bargaining law. City of Mount Vernon v. Cuevas, #89644, 733
N.Y.S.2d 793, 2001 N.Y. App. Div. Lexis 11678 (3rd Dept. 2001). {N/R}
Where there was no established past practice and
the bargaining agreement was silent, management could unilaterally increase the
number of firefighters used as "floaters." Anderson Twp. and A.T.
Prof F/F, IAFF L-3111, FMCS Case #03/02863, 118 LA (BNA) 1801 (Goldberg, 2003).
{N/R}
The FLRA annuls management's attempt to abolish
4-10 shifts for INS agents without bargaining. Dept. of Justice, INS and AFGE
L-505, #SF-CA-02-0506, 2003 FLRA Lexis 175, 59 FLRA No. 56 (FLRA 2003). {N/R}
Connecticut rules that management can
unilaterally adopt a rule against police officers using personal cellphones
while on duty. Town of Wallingford and AFSCME- L-1570, Case #MPP-21,187,
Decision #3902 (Conn. Bd. Lab. Rel. 2003). [2004 FP Feb]
Federal court dismisses a suit seeking to require
the DHS to bargain with airport security screeners. There is no 1st or 5th
amendment duty for a public agency to bargain with its union members, and there
was a rational reason for the Congress not to include screeners in the
statutory plan of federal bargaining. AFGE, TSA L-1 v. Loy, #03-1719 &
03-0043, 281 F.Supp.2d 59, 2003 U.S. Dist. Lexis 15750, 173 LRRM (BNA) 2358;
AFGE, TSA L-1 v. Loy, #03-0043, 41 (2033) G.E.R.R. (BNA) 1121 (D.D.C. 2003).
[2004 FP Jan]
Arbitrator denies a grievance that an employer
eliminated the "verbal warning" stage from the discipline matrix for
smoking violations. Smoking rules are more serious and "fine tuning"
of a penalty for given violations is traditionally considered to be a subject
upon which arbitrators are not to substitute their judgment for that of the
employer. Fairfield Mfg. and UAW L-2317, 118 LA (BNA) 1485, AAA
#52-300-00598-02 (Fullmer, 2003), citing Stockham Pipe Fittings Co., 1 LA (BNA)
160 at 162 (McCoy, 1945). {N/R}
Arbitrator holds that a county did not violate
the collective-bargaining agreement when it negotiated a new health plan. Some
employees were disadvantaged by the changes, and others benefited. Clark County
[Ohio] Sheriff and FOP, 118 LA (BNA) 1493, FMCS #02/04119 (Graham, 2003). [2004
FP Jan]
California appeals court holds that a city must
bargain with the union over the adoption of a traffic stops policy that was
implemented to prevent racial profiling. Claremont POA v. City of Claremont,
#B163219, 112 Cal.App.4th 639, 2003 Cal. App. Lexis 1529 (3d Dist. 2003). [Dec
FP 2003]
Federal Labor Relations Authority holds that
Transportation Security Administration airport screeners were lawfully exempted
from the federal employee bargaining rights. Dept. of Homeland Security and
AFGE, #WA-RP-03-0023, 41 (2017) G.E.R.R. (BNA) 72 (FLRA Boston Reg. decis.
7/7/03). {N/R}
Collective Bargaining - Duty to Bargain Illinois
appellate court holds that a sheriff could not require jail officers to
dispense medications without bargaining with the union, and to arbitrate any
impasse. Rock Island Co. Sheriff v. AFSCME L-2025, #3-03-0052, 2003 Ill. App.
Lexis 634 (3rd Dist. 2003). [2003 FP Aug]
Seventh Circuit holds that an employer was
required to bargain with the union over the use of covert videocameras in the
workplace. National Steel v. NLRB, #01-3798, 324 F.3d 928, 2003 U.S. App. Lexis
6515, 172 LRRM (BNA) 2154 (7th Cir. 2003). {N/R}
Illinois appellate court concludes that a dispute
of whether overtime pay for sheriff's deputies should be given as direct salary
or comp. time is a bargaining issue and subject to mandatory arbitration. The
fact that there was a past practice of awarding comp. time is not determinative.
County of St. Clair v. Illinois F.O.P., #5-01-0990, 2003 Ill. App. Lexis 552
(5th Dist. 2003). {N/R}
Management did not violate the bargaining
agreement when it changed merit rules without bargaining with peace officers'
union, where the agency followed a long-time past practice of developing new
rules through work groups involving all agency employee units, and where the
union was invited to participate. San Diego School Dist. and Schools Peace
Officers Assn., 118 LA (BNA) 247, Calif. St. Mediation & Conciliation Serv.
Case #ARB-01-0468 (Riker, 2003). {N/R}
N.Y. appellate court upholds a Employment
Relations Board decision that a police union was guilty of an Unfair Labor
Practice for refusing to bargain with management on the one vs. two-officer
patrol car issue. Buffalo PBA v. N.Y. State P.E.R.B., #TP02-01319, 752 N.Y.S.2d
498, 2002 N.Y. App. Div. Lexis 12899 (2002). {N/R}
Pennsylvania Supreme Court holds that the State
Police did not commit an "unfair labor practice" when it unilaterally
ceased to provide pretermination hearings for probationary troopers, despite a
past practice of holding hearings. Because the State Police has the discretion
to summarily dismiss probationary troopers, there is no rational relationship
between the hearings and the terms and conditions of employment. Penn. State
Police v. Penn. Labor Relations Bd. ex rel. Penn. State Troopers Assn., #162
MAP 2001, 810 A.2d 1240, 2002 Pa. Lexis 2427, 171 LRRM (BNA) 2633 (Pa. 2002).
[2003 FP Apr]
A Los Angeles County Superior Court has refused
to issue a restraining order preventing the sheriff from implementing a new
sexual harassment policy without first engaging the union under the state's
"meet and confer" bargaining law. The union claimed the revised
policy widens the conduct that could result in disciplinary action and changes
how harassment complaints will be investigated. Assn. for L.A. Deputy Sheriffs
v. L.A. Co., #BC-288744, 41 (1996) G.E.R.R. (BNA) 159 (Cal.Super. 1/17/03).
{N/R}
Massachusetts Supreme Court holds that management
has no obligation to bargain with the police union over adopting a new policy
requiring officers to enforce school attendance laws. City of Worcester v.
Labor Relations Cmsn., #SJC-08712, 438 Mass. 177, 779 N.E.2d 630, 2002 Mass.
Lexis 857 (2002). [2003 FP Mar]
New York judge annuls a pay raise for sheriff's
pilot; management failed to bargain the increase with the union. Putnam Co. PBA
and Co. of Putnam Sheriff, #U-23036, 35 NYPER (LRP) P4561, 2002 NYPER (LRP)
Lexis 159 (NY PERB-ALJ 2002). [2003 FP Mar]
Pennsylvania appellate court holds that
management did not have to bargain over a change in weight given to test
components of the state police promotional procedures. The change did not
impact on police duties. Penn State Troopers Assn. v. PLRB, # 698 CD 2002, 809
A.2d 422, 2002 Pa. Commw. Lexis 847, 171 LRRM (BNA) 2223 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2002).
{N/R}
Arbitrator annuls a new dress code for the Prison
health service. A physician's assistant could continue to wear "hospital
scrubs" while on duty; this was a mandatory bargain issue. Federal Bur. of
Prisons and Council of Prison Locals, AFGE L-992, FMCS Case #01/030L6, 117 LA
(BNA) 515 (Neas, 2002). [2002 FP Dec]
The Federal Labor Relations Authority holds that
management has no duty to bargain over a union proposal to limit the number of
people who would have access to home phone numbers, as the proposal would
interfere with management's right to assign work. AFGE L-2280 and Veterans
Affairs Med. Ctr., 57 FLRA No. 158 (FLRA 2002). {N/R}
Labor board finds that an employee, who
criticized management in a union newsletter, was protected against disciplinary
action by engaging in "concerted activity." Phoenix Transit Sys. and
Amal. Transit Union L-1433, #28-CA-15177, 2002 NLRB Lexis 170, 337 NLRB No. 78
(NLRB 2002). [2002 FP Aug]
Arbitrator overturns a management decision to
assign BoP facility officers to escort inmates to and from a clinic. It was a
change of conditions and must be bargained. U.S. Fed. Bur. of Prisons
and AFGE L-33, FMCS Case #01/11682, 116 LA (BNA) 1271 (Moore, 2002). [2002 FP
Jul]
Ninth Circuit overturns
the Federal Labor Relation's decision to order the Dept. of Interior to bargain
with the union over premium pay. The issue of "Sunday premium pay"
was not properly preserved for bargaining. Dept. of Interior v. FLRA,
#00-70862, 279 F.3d 762, 169 LRRM (BNA) 2333, 2002 U.S. App. Lexis 1251 (9th
Cir.) [N/R]
Ohio appeals court holds that a city had to
bargain before increasing the number of eligible captains and firefighters who
qualify for promotions. Steubenville Firefighters L-228 v. City of
Steubenville, #00 JE 5, 2001 Ohio App. Lexis 4527 (7th Dist. Ohio App. 2001).
[2002 FP Mar]
FLRA affirms an arbitrator's ruling that a federal
employer was not required to bargain over a unilateral implementation of
penalties for computer security violations. Social Security Adm. and AFGE-GC,
#0-AR-3381, 2001 FLRA Lexis 110, 57 FLRA No. 85 p. 459 (FLRA, 2001). [2002 FP
Mar]
Arbitrator declines to sanction a public employer
that refused to adopt union demands for expanded smoking facilities. The law
does not require compromises or agreement by either party to bargaining
sessions, and none of the usual indicia of bad faith negotiation tactics were
present. Regional Transp. Dist. and A.T.U, 115 LA (BNA) 1703 (Wyman, 1995).
[2001 FP 150]
Arbitrator holds that firefighters were not
required to maintain the lawns of adjacent property acquired by the fire dept.,
even though the fire prevention office occupied part of the additions. Boardman
Twp. and IAFF L-1176, FMCS #01/01427, 115 LA (BNA) 1021 (Lalka, 2001). [2001 FP
132-3]
Procedures to contest a determination of a police
officer's eligibility for continued salary, during the recovery from a
job-related injury or illness, was a mandatory subject of bargaining. Watertown
v. New York Public Employment Rel. Bd., 95 N.Y.2d 73, 733 N.E.2d 171, 711
N.Y.S.2d 99, 2000 N.Y. Lexis 902, 165 LRRM (BNA) 2165 (N.Y. 2001). {N/R}
Arbitrator holds that management failed to
conform to its past practice to provide laser eye surgery coverage when it
refused the benefits to two employees. Although the health plan specified that
coverage was not included, management said during negotiations that existing
coverage would remain substantially unchanged after a new plan was instituted.
Austintown Twp. and FOP L-126, AAA #53-390-00478-00, 115 LA (BNA) 1392 (Sharpe,
2001). {N/R}
City, for valid financial reasons, could not
unilaterally change the benefits paid on its health plan, where the bargaining
agreement prohibited a reduction of benefits. Arbitrator holds that past
practices were not controlling. Norman (City of) and FOP L-122, FMCS
#00/15703-8, 115 LA (BNA) 827 (McReynolds, 2001). [2001 FP 83]
Wisconsin arbitrator holds that a town violated
the bargaining contract, which provided that management could change insurance
carriers provided that benefits remained equivalent. Oconomowoc (Town of) and
Wis. Prof. Police Assn., Grievances #98-311 & 00-220, 115 LA (BNA) 169
(Petersen, 2000). [2001 FP 83-4]
Michigan arbitrator finds that management
violated the bargaining agreement when it adopted new health plan that
increased the employee co-pay from $10 to $15. Muskegon Co. and AFSCME C-25,
L-570, AAA # 54-390-00712-00, 115 LA (BNA) 1239 (McDonald, 2001). {N/R}
FLRA orders management to reinstate smoking areas
in a fire station and to bargain over any changes. Air Force Mater. Cmd.,
Wright-Patterson AFB and IAFF L-F88, #CH-CA-70577, 2000 FLRA Lexis 139, 56 FLRA
No. 118 (FLRA 2000). [2001 FP 3-4]
FLRA upholds a management order requiring decals
on employee vehicles parked on agency premises. The union claimed that stickers
could make employees targets of terrorist attacks when off base. Management has
a right to determine its internal security practices. AFGE L-1904 and Army
Comm., Ft. Monmouth, #0-NG-2512-001, 2000 FLRA Lexis 152, 56 FLRA No. 131, 39
(1893) G.E.R.R. (BNA) 48 (9/28/00). {N/R}
Arbitrator holds that management could establish
clothing requirements for detective rank and require officers to wear soft body
armor without bargaining. Ossining (Town of) and Ossining Police Assn., NY-PERB
Case #A99-195, 114 LA (BNA) 1761, 39 (1895) G.E.R.R. (BNA) 122 (Henner, 2000).
[2001 FP 29]
City could not discontinue making bonus payments
to captains without negotiating the issue with the union, even though the
bargaining agreement was silent. Boston v. Labor Rel. Cmsn., #97P-1232, 48
Mass.App.Ct. 169, 718 N.E.2d 875, 1999 Mass. App. Lexis 1127, 162 LRRM (BNA)
2775. [2000 FP 99]
In a 4-3 decision, New York's highest court holds
that a city must bargain over mandatory surgery or return to duty orders to
disabled officers and firefighters, when the fitness-for-duty determination is
disputed. Watertown (City of) v. N.Y. P.E.R.B., #38, 95 N.Y.2d 73, 733 N.E.2d
171, 2000 N.Y. Lexis 902, 165 LRRM (BNA) 2165. [2000 FP 99-100]
New Hampshire city was not required to bargain
the abolition of a disciplinary hearing board when it replaced that step with a
hearing before the chief of police. Manchester (App. of City of) and
N.H.P.E.R.L.B., 743 A.2d 821, 1999 N.H. Lexis 127, 163 LRRM (BNA) 2568. [2000
FP 68]
Minnesota appellate court holds that the adoption
of a response-time residency requirement is a managerial right, and is
therefore not subject to mandatory bargaining. Law Enf. Labor Serv. v. Co. of
Cook, #C0-99-397, 1999 Minn. App. Lexis 1045 (Unpub.). [2000 FP 19-20]
Non home rule communities in Illinois cannot be
forced to bargain over arbitration to replace civil service, for disciplinary
actions. Adams Co. Sheriff (Nall) v. IAMAW L-822, 719 N.E.2d 300, 1999 Ill.
App. Lexis 769; appeal denied, 187 Ill.2d 565, 724 N.E.2d 1266, 2000 Ill. Lexis
140 (2000). [2000 FP 20]
Illinois amends its statutes to provide that in
non home rule communities, a governmental entity may, but is not required to
bargain with the union, over whether disciplinary determinations shall be heard
by a statutory board of fire and commissioners or before an impartial
arbitrator. 65 ILCS 5/10-2.1-17; P.A. 91-650, eff. 11-30-99. {N/R}.
City that unilaterally changed the police work
periods from 4/10 to 5/8 failed to bargain the change of a past practice.
Arbitrator awards the affected officers an estimated $20,000 each. Anchorage
Police Dept. Emplees. Assn. and Anchorage, AAA Case #75-L390-00142-97 (Gaunt,
1998, 1999). [2000 FP 3] Update: The parties agreed to a $2.02 million
settlement, which $1.9 million less than the city would have had to pay if it
lost its appeal, LRIS e-news 12/4/2000.
INS ordered to stop implementation of its side
handle baton program prior to completion of negotiations with the union. INS
and AFGE, #DA-CA-30370, 1999 FLRA Lexis 201, ALJ Dec. No. 144, 55 FLRA 93
(9-17-1999) and 1999 FLRA Lexis 4, 55 FLRA No. 20 (1-121999). {N/R}
Correction officer's eligibility to perform
light-duty work after he was given total-disability status is not arbitrable.
N.Y. state law allows a municipality to order officers to perform light duty.
Barnes v. C-82 AFSCME, 690 N.Y.S.2d 334, 1999 N.Y. App.Div. Lexis 5554, 162
LRRM (BNA) 2445 (1999). {N/R}
Arbitrator rejects a grievance that a fire chief
acted outside his managerial rights in issuing pagers to all members, and
requiring a 20 minute callback response. Pleasantview Fire Prot. Dist. and
IFFA-SEIU L-73, 113 LA (BNA) 388 (Goldstein, 1999). [2000 FP 36-7]
There is no duty to bargain over the issue of
overlapping vacations; there is a managerial prerogative to set and change minimum
staffing levels at the employer's discretion. Carmel PBA v. NY-PERB, #85417,
701 N.Y.S.2d 169, 1999 N.Y. App. Div. Lexis 13263. {N/R}
An employer had a duty to bargain before it ended
a 14-year practice of giving employees an annual bonus. Cont. Carbon Co. and
OCAW L-5-857, FMCS Case No. 00/09495, 114 LA (BNA) 1263 (Chumley, 2000). {N/R}
A city violated the bargaining agreement by
changing a firefighter's work shift mid-year, where the 10-year past practice
of making changes only at the beginning of a year; predictability and stability
to arrange an employee's family and personal were important. City of Claremont
and IAFF L-1077, FMCS #00/0406-08749-8, 114 LA (BNA) 936 (Crider, 2000). {N/R}
City did not have to bargain over the creation of
a police civilian review board. F.O.P. L-5 v. Penn. Labor Rel. Bd. 27 A.2d
1187, 1999 Pa.Commw. Lexis 217. [1999 FP 163-4]
Police dept. did not have to bargain over a
revised citizen complaint procedure, requiring that even trivial complaints be
reported to the chief on numbered forms. Canton (City of) and Canton Police
Assn., FMCS Case #99/00620-6, 112 LA (BNA) 454 (Skulina, 1999). [1999 FP 147]
Arbitrator holds that management is free to
substitute a different health plan, without resorting to bargaining, even if
some provisions are not as favorable to employees, if the plan as a whole
provides similar or greater benefits to workers. Whayne and United S.W.A.
L-9106, AAA #52-300-00314-98, 111 LA (BNA) 940 (Imundo, 1998). [1999 FP 115-6]
County jail required to bargain with employees
over the use of nametag IDs. Jail nurses not required to prove an actual danger
to trigger mandatory bargaining of a safety-related issue. King Co. v. Wash.
PERC, #42854-3-1, 972 P.2d 130, 1999 Wash. App. Lexis 389, 161 LRRM (BNA) 2046.
[1999 FP 99]
Divided Supreme Court finds that a federal agency
has a legal duty to bargain with unions during the life of a contract
agreement. Natl. Fedn. Fed. Emp. v. Dept. of Interior, 97-1184; F.L.R.A. v.
Dept. of Interior, 97-12, 1999 U.S. Lexis 1710, 526 U.S. 86, 119 S.Ct. 1003.
[1999 FP 68]
Sheriff had no duty to bargain with the union
before seeking decertification of 31 officers who had never qualified properly
for their initial appointments. There had been "widespread corruption in
the hiring process." Cook (Co. of) and IL Labor Rltns. Bd., #1-96-0465
& #1-97-2612, 302 Ill.App.3d 682, 707 N.E.2d 176, 1998 Ill.App. Lexis 903.
[1999 FP 51]
Pennsylvania appellate court finds that a city
has a managerial prerogative (and need not bargain) when it reduces the minimum
service requirement for promotional positions. FOP Rose of Sharon, L-3 v. Pa.
Lab. Rel. Bd., 729 A.2d 1278, 1999 Pa. Commw. Lexis 428 161 LRRM (BNA) 2554.
{N/R}.
Management could not prohibit employees sending
personal e-mail without bargaining with the union. The new rule was a change in
working conditions. Treas. Dept., I.R.S. and N.T.E.U. L-36, #CH-CA-70509, 1998
FLRA Lexis 194, 1998 ALJ Dec 137. [1999 FP 5]
Unilaterally implementing a requirement that
firefighters undergo and pass, respirator fitness examinations was mandatorily
negotiable. Utica Prof. F/F L-32 and City of Utica, N.Y. PERB #U-18370, 32
NYPER (LRP) P4570, 1999 NYPER (LRP) Lexis 99 (1999). {N/R}
Federal labor panel holds that management must
bargain for a smoke-free firehouse, even though the bargaining agreement bans
smoking in the facility. Dept. of Air Force, Wright-Patterson AFB and IAFF
L-88, #CH-CA-70577, 38 (1850) G.E.R.R. 248, 1999 FLRA Lexis 259, 55 FLRA No.
159, v.55/p.968. [2000 FP 76]
Pennsylvania appellate court halts management's
adoption of a performance-related system to select members of its police SWAT
team, without bargaining with the union over the method of selection. Delaware
Co. L-27, FOP v. Penn. Lab. Rltns. Bd., 694 A.2d 1142, 1997 Pa. Commw. Lexis
224, reversing 1996 PPER (LRP) Lexis 116 (Pa.Lab.Rel.Bd.). [1998 FP 51-2]
NY holds that arbitration replace a statutory
disciplinary procedure, instead of allowing employees the choice, is a mandatory
subject of bargaining. Creedon PBA and City of Utica, Case #U-19283, 31 NYPERB
(LRP) ¶ 3045, 1998 NYPER (LRP) Lexis 196 (1998).
NJ rules that a request to exempt firefighters
from a city's residency requirement is a mandatory subject of bargaining. City
of Perth Amboy, 24 NJ PER §29006 (1998).
Michigan Employment Relations Cmsn. annuls a
management requirement that police officers must sign a liability release form
when they submit to an involuntary psychological examination. Oak Park (City of)
and P.O.A. of Mich., 1997 MPER Lexis 12 (Mich. Emp.Rel.Cmsn.). [1998 FP 11]
Employer had a duty to bargain over imposing a
requirement that corrections officers document leave requests to attend medical
appointments. Although the Civil Service Manual required proof of illness, the
manual did not preempt a statutory duty to bargain over sick leave procedures.
State of N.Y. Dept. of Corr. Serv., 31 NY PERB § 3065 (1998). {N/R}
A demand to exempt firefighters from residency
requirements was a mandatory subject of bargaining in New Jersey. City of Perth
Amboy, NJ PER § 29006 (1998). {N/R}
Management's decision to introduce time clocks
was a managerial prerogative, and not subject to bargaining. Penna. Dept. of
Corrections, 29 PPER § 29022 (1998). {N/R}
Length of qualifying time for eligibility for
promotion was a management prerogative. City of Sharon, 29 PPER § 29147 (1998).
{N/R}
Binding arbitration, in lieu of Civil Service
disciplinary trials in New York, was mandatorily negotiable. Creedon PBA and
City of Utica, NY PERB U-19283, 31 NYPER (LRP) P3045, 1998 NYPER (LRP) Lexis
196 (1998), citing Cohoes (City of) and Unif. F/F L-2562, NY PERB U-17838 and
U-17875, 31 NYPER (LRP) P3020, 1998 NYPER (LRP) Lexis 156 (1998).{N/R}
Management can agree to non precedent-setting
settlement agreements with an employee, even under protest from the bargaining
unit. City of Tampa and Hillsb. Co. PBA, 109 LA (BNA) 453 (Sill, 1997). {N/R}
Illinois Library District was part of the Village
for the purposes of counting the minimum number of municipal employees for
collective bargaining purposes. Peoria Heights and IL FOP Labor Council, 12
PERI 2018, 1996 PERI (LRP) Lexis 57. [1997 FP 53]
Pennsylvania appellate court holds that a
municipality has no duty to bargain with a one-person bargaining unit. Alcaraz
v. Pa. Lab. Rel. Bd., 678 A.2d 1234 (Pa.Cmwlth. 1996). [1997 FP 53]
Management had a duty to bargain with
firefighters' union before implementing a mandatory agility test, where discipline
could be imposed on those who declined to participate. Meridian (Twp. of) and
F/F Assn. of Mich., MERC #C95-H-174, 9 MPER (LRP) ¶ 27,057, 1996 MPER (LRP)
Lexis 38. [1997 FP 20]
City must bargain with union before it changes
the procedure of how it determines eligibility for disability pensions, even
though the change was to conform with specific language in the city charter. A
longstanding past practice can "amend" the language in a charter or
contract. Detroit Police Off. Assn. v. City of Detroit, 452 Mich. 339, 551
N.W.2d 349, 1996 Mich. Lexis 1660. [1997 FP 24-5]
Appellate court in New Jersey holds that the
state's Public Employment Relations Commission properly concluded that a public
employer violated its duty to bargain by unilaterally adopting a requirement
that police applicants repay their training costs in the event of severance
within two years after completion of their academy training. The court rejected
the employer's argument that the provision was not term and condition of employment
because it became effective only after employment ceased. New Jersey Transit
Auth. v. N.J. Transit PBA L-304, #A-5710-96T5, 314 N.J. Super. 129, 714 A.2d
329, 1998 N.J. Super. Lexis 342, 158 LRRM (BNA) 3064 (1998), affirming #97-125,
23 NJPER (LRP) 28,137, 1997 NJPER (LRP) Lexis 61 (NJ-PERC, 1997). {N/R}
Management violated its bargaining obligation by
unilaterally instituting a sick-leave abuse standard and by changing the sick
leave policy to require police officers to present a doctor's note after only
one sick day instead of after three consecutive sick days. Cleona Bor. PPOA v.
Cleona Borough, #PF-C-96-71-E and 72-E, 27 PPER (LRP) ¶ 27,239; 1996 PPER (LRP)
Lexis 200 (Pa.Lab.Rel.Bd.). {N/R}
Illinois appellate court concludes that a county
had to bargain with the union before implementing a requirement that jail
personnel returning from an extended leave must be screened for drug abuse.
Cook (Co. of) v. Lic. Prac. Nurses Assn., 671 N.E.2d 787, 1996 Ill.App. Lexis
749. [1997 FP 4-5]
FLRA judge finds that a federal agency improperly
imposed a grooming policy without negotiating with the union. Natl. Gal. of Art
and AFGE L-1831, 1995 FLRA Lexis 7. [1996 FP 168-9]
Arbitrator sets aside a management directive
requiring police officers to inspect their vehicles prior to use; unilateral
imposition of maintenance duties, without resort to the bargaining process, was
improper. Portsmouth Police Cmsn. and IBPO L-402, 26 (8) LAIG #5197 (AAA) 3
(Stutz, 1995). [1996 FP 147-8]
Oregon arbitrator finds that a fire dist.
violated the employment agreement by ordering firefighters to perform an
endurance test. Klamath Falls Fire Dist. and K.F. Firefighters L-890, 106 LA
(BNA) 789 (Buchanan, 1996). [1996 FP 153-4]
Illinois appellate court upholds a labor board
determination that the insertion of a "zipper clause" in the CBA is a
mandatory subject of bargaining. Ed. Assn. v. Ill. Ed. Lab. Rltns. Bd., 663
N.E.2d 1067, 1996 Ill.App. Lexis 183. [1996 FP 105-6]
Pennsylvania police department's elimination of a
second night shift was improper; management had a duty to bargain the issue
with the union. White Rose L-15 F.O.P. and City of York, 1995 PPER (LRP) Lexis
67. [1996 FP 19-20]
New Jersey Public Employment Relations Cmsn.
holds that the assignment of officers to a particular shift, in contravention
of seniority, is not a mandatory subject of bargaining, because seniority
impedes the employer's mission to promote public safety. Hoboken (City of) and
P.B.A. L-2, 1994 NJPER (LRP) Lexis 103. [1996 FP 20]
Minimum staffing of firefighters per shift is a
mandatory subject of bargaining in Illinois. Illinois Firefighters Alliance and
Vil. of Maywood, 1994 PERI (LRP) Lexis 184 (Ill.L.R.B.). [1995 FP 163]
Wash. state labor board orders city to bargain
over establishment of a citizens" review board. Spokane Police Guild and
Spokane, 3 (7) Pub.Sfty.Lab. News (LRIS) 1 (Wash. PERC 1995).
New Hampshire holds that a city may, but need
not, bargain over discipline and discharge standards. Concord (City of) v.
N.H.P.E.L.R.B., 651 A.2d 944 (N.H. 1994). [1995 FP 132]
Employer could not unilaterally change the
employee 15 min. break period to the last 15 min. of the shift. Air Sys. Com.
v. S.M.W. L- 68, 104 LA (BNA) 477 (Goodman 1995). {N/R}
City not required to bargain with union over a
proposal to submit disciplinary matters to binding arbitration. City of N.Y. v.
MacDonald, 607 N.Y.S.2d 25 (A.D. 1994). {N/R}
City could not unilaterally reduce overtime
assignments given its police officers in past years. Bloomington (City of) and
Law Enf. Labor Services, 103 LA (BNA) 661 (Rubin, 1994). [1995 FP 51]
Police chief could not prohibit all secondary
employment in security positions without bargaining with the union. Pullman
(City of) and Police Off. Guild, PERC #110007-A-94-1082; 3 (1) Pub.Sfty.Lab.
News (LRIS) 3 (Williams, 1994). [1995 FP 51-2]
NY appellate court concludes that a PBA demand to
arbitrate disciplinary actions and to include probationary officers was not a
mandatory subject of collective bargaining. New York (City of) v. MacDonald,
607 N.Y.Supp. 24; 201 A.D.2d 258; 1994 N.Y.App.Div. Lexis 824. [1995 FP 21]
The Federal Labor Relations Authority has
determined that management was not required to bargain with the union before
adopting a rule requiring employees to wear ID cards at all times while in the
workplace, including areas open to the general public. AFSCME L-2910 and U.S.
Lib. of Cong., 49 F.L.R.A. 834, 1994 FLRA Lexis 147, 49 FLRA No. 79. The FLRA
relied on its earlier opinion in AFSCME L-15 and D. of Trsry., IRS, 2 FLRA No.
109, 2 F.L.R.A. 875, 1980 FLRA Lexis 246. {N/R}
NY's highest court rules that a smoking ban may
not be imposed an union employees without bargaining the work rule change with
the union. Newark Valley C.S.D. v. P.E.R.B., 83 N.Y.2d 315, 632 N.E.2d 443,
1994 N.Y. Lexis 281, 1994 WL 94208. [1994 FP 125]
Arbitrator rules that a city could not raise the
green fee charged employees at the city-owned golf course. Existing fringe
benefits are terms of employment. Supulpa (City of) and IAFF L-194, 102 LA
(BNA) 636 (Neas, 1994). [1994 FP 147]
City could not unilaterally end a policy of
reimbursing meal expense of officers assigned to out-of-town training. Stamford
(City of) and Stamford Police Assn., 101 LA (BNA) 154 (Stewart, 1993). [1994 FP
131-2]
Employer violated agreement with guard union when
it transferred monitoring of video terminals to receptionists. Caterpillar and
United Plant Guard Workers L-235, 101 LA (BNA) 372 (Daniel, 1993). [1994 FP
132]
Federal appeals court upholds F.L.R.A. ruling
requiring mgmt. to bargain with the union before adopting a new policy that
body armor must be worn under an officer's shirt. U.S. I.N.S. v. F.L.R.A., 12
F.3d 882 (9th Cir. 1993). [1994 FP 99]
PA city was not required to bargain over new
light duty policy for ill and injured firefighters. York Fire Fighters L. 627
v. Penn. Labor Rel. Bd., 630 A.2d 527 (Pa.Cmwlth. 1993). [1994 FP 67]
Pennsylvania city violated a duty to bargain with
the FOP over civilianization of the dispatch function. Bethlehem (City of) v.
Penna. Labor Rltns. Bd., 621 A.2d 1184 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1993). [1994 FP 3]
Justice Dept. not required to bargain with INS
agents over internal security practices; union wanted more time for officers
involved in shootings to submit use of force reports. U.S. Dept. of Justice v.
Federal Labor Rel. Auth., 975 F.2d 218 & 995 F.2d 46 (5th Cir. 1992). [1993
FP 4-5]
Ohio appellate court requires city to bargain
with firefighters over residency requirements. City of St. Bernard v. State
Empl. Rel. Bd., 74 Ohio App.3d 3, 598 N.E.2d 15 (1991). [1993 FP 19]
FLRA holds that an employer cannot raise prices
on beverages sold in employee vending machines without bargaining. Marine Corps
Logistics Base and AFGE L-1482, Case Nos. 98-CA-10236, 98-CA-10490, 46 F.L.R.A.
782, 1992 FLRA Lexis 455, 46 FLRA No. 68 (1992). Remedy ordered, 31 G.E.R.R.
(BNA) 892 (1993). [1993 FP 32, 132]
Pennsylvania town had duty to bargain with police
association before changing the pattern of work and recreational days.
Management rights clause in contract was not a waiver to bargain. Twp. of Upper
Sacon v. PLRB, 620 A.2d 71 (Pa.Cmwlth. 1993). [1993 FP 148-9]
Videotaping of employees in the workplace is a
mandatory subject of collective bargaining. Amoco Petrol. and Jackson, 964 F.2d
706, 7 IER Cases (BNA) 854 (7th Cir. 1992). {N/R}
A requirement that applicants for public
employment undergo drug testing prior to employment is not mandatorily
negotiable. Utica Prof. F/F L-32 and City of Utica, N.Y. PERB #U-12165, 25
NYPER (LRP) P4641, 1992 NYPER (LRP) Lexis 3200 (1992). {N/R}
Mich. Empl. Rel. Cmsn. holds that the
implementation of mandatory psychological counseling without first resorting to
the bargaining process is an unfair labor practice. Co. of Allegan Sheriff
Dept., 1992 MERC Lab. Op. 134. {N/R}
Florida holds that the state government could
unilaterally reduce benefits of state employees by not appropriating the
necessary funds. No duty to bargain with the union over a monetary change in
the bargaining agreement. St. of Florida v. Florida P.B.A. 613 So.2d 415 (Fla.
1992). [1993 FP 149-150]
Connecticut state labor board issues
an interim order staying a directive that officers carry their firearms with
the safety in the firing position. The union claimed that the police chief
jeopardized officer safety, without resorting to bargaining. City of Ansonia
and IBPO L-457, Case #MPP-14,356, Decis. #2995 (Conn. Lab. Rel. Bd. 1992).
{N/R}
Fire dept. plan to use
fire companies to respond to medical emergencies could be imposed as a
"management prerogative" but the city must bargain with union over
the impact of the program on working conditions. City of Phila. v. Pa. Labor Rltns.
Bd., 588 A.2d 67 (Pa.Cmwlth. 1991). [1992 FP 67-8]
City must bargain with union before adopting a
police ride-along program with Explorer Scouts. West St. Paul v. Law Enf. Labor
Serv., 30 G.E.R.R. (BNA) 343 (Minn. 2/14/92). [1992 FP 83-4]
City could not unilaterally create new
"inspector" positions in its police dept. and erode the bargaining
unit. City of E. St. Louis v. State Labor Rel. Bd., 573 N.E.2d 302 (Ill.App.
1991). [1992 FP 100-1]
Ohio appellate court rules city had a duty to bargain
the rotation of firefighter work periods from a two to a three platoon system.
Lakewood (City of) v. State Emp. Rel. Bd., 66 Ohio App.3d 387, 584 N.E.2d 70
(1990). [1992 FP 163]
City must bargain with union before implementing
a citizen ride-along program in police vehicles. Plan could affect officer
safety. West St. Paul v. Law Enf. Labor Serv., 466 N.W.2d 27 (Minn. App. 1991).
N.J. Co. Dept. of Corrections could adopt a sick
leave verification program that includes home visits, without negotiating the
revision with the union. Somerset Co. and PBA L-177, PERC #91-119, 17 NJPER
(LRP) ¶ 22,154 (1991).
Police Dept. not required to bargain over arrest
restraint methods; union objected to rule against "hog-tying". Caruso
v. Bd. of Coll. Brg., 555 N.Y.S.2d 133 (A.D. 1990).
State university was in violation of the
bargaining agreement in proposing to abolish its police force and contracting
with city for police services. W. Wash. Univ. v. Feder. of St. Empl., 793 P.2d
989 (Wash. App. 1990).
New York's Public Employee Board holds that the
state police had a duty to negotiate with the union before adopting a policy
prohibiting the supervision of a relative. Matters of promotion, assignment,
appointment or the transfer of employees is a mandatory subject of bargaining.
PBA of NY St. Troopers and St. of N.Y., #U-11239, 23 NYPER (LRP) P4563, 1990
NYPER (LRP) Lexis 2162 (NY-PERB, 1990). {N/R}
Appellate court enforces agreement that an
officer reimburse the city of the cost of his training if he quits before
completing 12 months of service. City of Pembroke v. Hagin, 391 S.E.2d 465 (Ga.
App. 1990).
Arbitrator rules that a city could not
unilaterally impose requirement that new appointees reimburse city for training
if they quit in three years. In re City of Mt. Vernon, 2 The Labor Lawyer (ABA)
599, 23 G.E.R.R. (BNA) 667.
Police union's demand that a city could not
assign patrol cars to cover more than one sector, when all sectors could be
filled by overtime assignments, was a nonmandatory subject of bargaining. It
interfered with management's right to establish staffing and deployment. City
of New Rochelle and Police Assn. of N.R., N.Y. PERB #U-10093 (ALJ decis.), 21
NYPER (LRP) ¶ 4592, 1988 NYPER (LRP) Lexis 2235. {N/R}
Federal appeals court strikes down use of
drug-sniffing dogs in work areas; employer must first negotiate with union.
Bro. of Locomotive Eng. v. Burlington Northern R.R. Co., #85-4137, 838 F.2d
1102 (9th Cir. 1988).
City required to "meet and confer" with
the union over a change in psychological counseling; the union waived the right
to enforce a bar- gaining session by its delay. Stockton P.O.A. v. Stockton, 13
PERC (LRP) ¶ 20,021, 1988 PERC (LRP) Lexis 201 (Cal.App. 1988). {N/R}
Police union's demand that an officer cannot be
compelled to testify at a departmental hearing concerning the officer's conduct
was a nonmandatory subject of bargaining. City of New Rochelle and Police Assn.
of N.R., N.Y. PERB #U-10093 (ALJ decis.) 21 NYPER (LRP) ¶ 4592, 1988 NYPER
(LRP) Lexis 2235. {N/R}
City could unilaterally restrict number of
firefighters on annual leave on any given day. Portland Firefighters Ass., L=43
IAFF v. City of Portland, 86 Ore.App. 662, 740 P.2d 228 (1987).
Arbitrator rules that a city violated the
collective bargaining contract when it unilaterally discontinued the four-day,
10-hour workweek option afforded fire-prevention employees. Miami (City of) and
IAFF L-587, 89 LA (BNA) 86, FMCS Case #86K/20608 (1987). {N/R}
Ohio city violated state law by unilaterally
changing the scheduled work hours of its firefighters without first bargaining
with exclusive representative. St. Emp. Rel. Board v. City of Bedford Heights,
41 Ohio App.3d 21, 534 N.E.2d 115, 1987 Ohio App. Lexis 10746. {N/R}
Ohio city unlawfully refused to bargain by
stating its intent to unilaterally change the hours of its firefighters from 24
hour tour of duty followed by 48 hours off. State Empl. Rel. Bd. v. City of
Strongsville, #86-ULP-10-0389, 4 OPER (LRP) P4074 (Ohio SERB Hrg. Ofcr. opin.).
{N/R}
Town did not like bargaining with FOP, so it
abolished the police dept. and contracted with the sheriff for patrol services.
Federal and state courts rule this was an unfair labor practice and a violation
of the federal civil rights act. Healy v. Pembroke Park, 643 F. Supp. 1208
(S.D. Fla. 1986).
Duty to bargain: a police union's proposal,
prohibiting management from administering polygraph or other deception testing,
or blood, tissue and breathalyzer tests of police officers, was not mandatorily
negotiable. Twp. of So. Brunswick and P.B.A. L-166, N.J. PERC #86-115 (1986),
12 NJPER (LRP) ¶ 17,138 [Lexis library]. {N/R}
Penna. State Labor Relations Bureau orders a
governmental employer to bargain over the installation of new technology.
Employer replaced a magnetic card typewriter with a computerized typesetting
machine that used a video display screen. This was a change in conditions, was
not a management prerogative, and the machine was more complicated to use.
AFSCME Dist. 13 v. Penn., 16 PPER (LRP) ¶ 16,096, 1985 PPER (LRP) Lexis 59.
{N/R}
A police union's proposal, requiring a township
to bargain, concerning a decision to move officers from one shift to another,
to rotate all personnel through three shifts, or to change starting and ending
time of various shifts, was a mandatory subject of bargaining. Township of
Delran and Delran Patrolman's Ass'n, N.J. Pub. Empl. Rel. Cmsn. #83-77, 9 NJPER
(LRP) P14,023 (1982). {N/R}
City could not unilaterally impose requirement
that new appointees reimburse city for training if they quit in three years. In
re City of Mt. Vernon, 2 Labor Lawyer (ABA) 599, 23 G.E.R.R. (BNA) 667.
A union "safety" proposal specifying
equipment to be maintained in police patrol vehicles was mandatorily
negotiable, respecting: (1) armored vest; (2) helmet with detachable face
shield; (3) head restraints; (4) lap and shoulder belts; (5) flares; (6) cable
cutters; (7) fire extinguishers; and (8) clip board. Management does not have to
bargain over the types of guns, other weapons, and quantities of ammunition to
be provided. Twp. of So. Brunswick and P.B.A. L-166, N.J. PERC #86-115 (1986),
12 NJPER (LRP) ¶ 17,138 [Lexis]. {N/R}
Management is not obligated to bargain with a
police union over a requirement that the agency maintain a law library
containing specified volumes. Twp. of So. Brunswick and P.B.A. L-166, N.J. PERC
#86-115 (1986), 12 NJPER (LRP) ¶ 17,138 [Lexis]. {N/R}
A union demand to require the rotation of police
officers throughout all units of the agency "would prevent the
[management] from permanently assigning patrol officers to particular
assignments for which an individual officer may be best suited." Twp. of
So. Brunswick and P.B.A. L-166, N.J. PERC #86-115 (1986), 12 NJPER (LRP)
¶17,138 [Lexis]. {N/R}
A union's proposal, requiring management to put a
citizen complaint in writing within 24 hours was mandatorily negotiable, with
the proviso that it apply only to job-related, noncriminal complaints. However,
mandatory time limits for investigations of police misconduct by officers, was
not mandatorily negotiable. Twp. of So. Brunswick and P.B.A. L-166, N.J. PERC
#86-115 (1986), 12 NJPER (LRP) ¶ 17,138 [Lexis]. {N/R}
A police union's demand to expunge officers'
disciplinary records after specified period of time was not mandatorily
negotiable. However, excluding unfounded complaints from an officers' personnel
files was mandatorily negotiable. Twp. of So. Brunswick and P.B.A. L-166, N.J.
PERC #86-115 (1986), 12 NJPER (LRP) ¶17,138 [Lexis]. {N/R}
A police union's proposal, prohibiting management
from administering polygraph or other deception testing, or blood, tissue and
breathalyzer tests of police officers, was not mandatorily negotiable. Twp. of
So. Brunswick and P.B.A. L-166, N.J. PERC #86-115 (1986), 12 NJPER (LRP) ¶
17,138 [Lexis]. {N/R}
Condition of tires bargainable, installation of
AM-FM radios was not; safety issues mandatory subject of bargaining. In re Town
of Secaucus, 2 Labor Lawyer (ABA) 601, 84-86 PBC (CCH) Sec. 44,246.
NJ Fire chief did not have to bargain with the
union before adopting a policy to require a physician's verification of
illnesses for more than two consecutive working days, and to require
firefighters to remain at their residence when on sick leave. East Orange and
FMBA L-23, 9 NJPER (LRP) ¶14,142 (1983); aff'd, PERC #84-68, 10 NJPER (LRP)
¶15,015 (1983).
NJ County did not have to bargain with the union
over the number of deputy sheriffs assigned to guard prisoners in the hospital
ward. Although the number of officers "has a relation to employee
safety" and a deputy, working alone, was killed by an inmate at the
hospital, the assignment decision is a managerial right. Bergen Co. Sheriff and
PBA L-134, PERC #83-110, 9 NJPER (LRP) ¶14,071 (1983).
NJ Police dept. was not required to perpetuate a
contract provision mandating a two-officer minimum per shift, and did not have
to negotiate minimum staffing on expiration of the agreement. Readington Twp.
and PBA L-2773, PERC #84-7, 9 NJPER (LRP) ¶14,218 (1983).
NJ Fire chief did not have to bargain with the
union before adopting a policy to require a physician's verification of
illnesses for more than two consecutive working days, and to require
firefighters to remain at their residence when on sick leave. East Orange and
FMBA L-23, 9 NJPER (LRP) ¶14,142 (1983); aff'd, PERC #84-68, 10 NJPER (LRP)
¶15,015 (1983).
NJ County did not have to bargain with the union
over the number of deputy sheriffs assigned to guard prisoners in the hospital
ward. Although the number of officers "has a relation to employee
safety" and a deputy, working alone, was killed by an inmate at the
hospital, the assignment decision is a managerial right. Bergen Co. Sheriff and
PBA L-134, PERC #83-110, 9 NJPER (LRP) ¶14,071 (1983).
NJ Police dept. was not required to perpetuate a
contract provision mandating a two-officer minimum per shift, and did not have
to negotiate minimum staffing on expiration of the agreement. Readington Twp.
and PBA L-2773, PERC #84-7, 9 NJPER (LRP) ¶14,218 (1983).
New Jersey upholds right of chief to set shift
schedules; not subject to bargaining or arbitration. Borough of Atlantic
Highlands v. Atlantic Highlands PBA 242, 192 N.J. Super. 71, 469 A.2d 80
(1983).
Arbitrator upholds management prerogative to
issue and require the wearing of a pocket pager for emergency call-back
purposes. Intern. Assn. of Fire Fighters L-1041 and City of Albert Lea, Minn.
Bur. of Med. Serv. Case #82-PP-195-B, G.E.R.R. (BNA) 1/3/83 Pp. 20-21 (1982).
New Jersey Supreme Court upholds a unilateral
increase of deductible amounts in a prescription payment plan by including the
higher deductible in an appropriations measure, without resort to the statutory
collective bargaining process. State of N.J. v. State Troopers Frat. Assn., 91
N.J. 464, 453 A.2d 176 (1982). [1993 FP 150]
In two cases, the New York Public Employment
Relations Board has upheld management on the issue of the wearing of nametags
by police officers is subject to mandatory bargaining. Nametags were found to
be an integral part of the police uniform and a managemental decision. City of
Buffalo, 15 NYPERB 3027 (1982); Co. of Onondago Sheriff, 14 NYPERB 3027 (1981).
{N/R}
Arbitrator in Minnesota upholds the decision of a
police chief to require officers to wear nametags. ``An arresting officer
invariably identifies himself by name in each court appearance'' and a person
who wants to harass an officer does not need nametags to learn an officer's identity.
Minneapolis and Police Feder. of Mnpls., 78 LA (BNA) 504 (Karlins, 1982). {N/R}
New York PERB no longer requires departments to
bargain over breathalyzer and polygraph tests. Troy Uniformed Firefighters
Assn. and City of Troy, PERB Case U-2451, 77-78 PBC (CCH) ¶ 40,384 (1977).
Exclusion of Fire chief from the unit, see
Massachusetts Labor Relations Commission v. Town of Natick, 339 N.E.2d 900
(Mass. 1976).
Firefighters" local may demand bargaining on
final budget after its adoption. Dublin Professional Firefighters Local 1885 v.
Valley Community Fire Dist., 119 Cal.Rptr. 182 (Cal.App. 1975).
Indiana city ordered to bargain in good faith
pursuant to city ordinance. State of Indiana ex rel. Smith v. Hatcher, Lake Co.
Sup'r Ct., #577-1569.
City's ban on washing personal vehicles upheld;
not a term or condition of employment requiring bargaining. Police use of force
case cited as precedent. Vernon Fire Fighters v. City of Vernon, 1581 Cal.Rptr.
478 (App. 1979).
Non-civil service deputy sheriffs cannot be
included under state public employment relations acts. Murphy v. Mack, 358
So.2d 822 (Fla. 1978).
Disciplinary sanctions and procedure are
bargainable and arbitrable. Auburn Police Local 195 AFSCME v. Helsby, 404
N.Y.S.2d 396 (A.D. 1978).
Kentucky court has no authority to order
Lexington-Fayette County to recognize IAFF - throws burden back to local
government. Lexington-Fayette Urban Co. Gov't v. IAFF L-526, #74-2091, Fayette
Co. Cir. Ct. (Ky. 1975).
New York PERB no longer requires departments to
bargain over breathalyzer and polygraph tests for narcotics addiction. Division
241, Amal. Transit Union (AFL-CIO) v. Suscy, 405 F.Supp. 750 (N.D. Ill. Dec.
30, 1975).
After-hours use of department car restricted; grievance
taken on purported change in a "condition of employment." City of
Sterling Heights and IAFF L-1557 (Roumell, Dec. 1974).
Arbitrator holds that the Boston Police Dept. did
not violate safety provisions of the collective bargaining agreement by
requiring members of its police department to put nametags on their uniforms.
Boston and Bos. Police Ptlmns. Assn., 55 LA (BNA) 910 (Stutz, 1970). {N/R}