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Collective Bargaining - Duty to Bargain
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}