Archives for August 2015

August 25, 2015 by

PERC Holds that the WSCCCE Was Inappropriately Allowed to Intervene in a Representation Case Initiated by the Snohomish County Juvenile Court Supervisors Association

By Chris Casillas and Jordan L. Jones

intrerveneIn Snohomish County, the Commission held that the Washington State Council of County and City Employees (WSCCCE) was inappropriately allowed to intervene in a representation case initiated by the Snohomish County Juvenile Court Supervisors Association (union). The Commission also held that the petitioned-for bargaining unit was appropriate and remanded to the Executive Director to conduct a unit determination election to establish the preferred bargaining unit arrangement of the employees.

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Filed Under: Representation and Unit Determination
August 21, 2015 by

PERC Holds that Washington State University Did Not Refuse to Bargain When It Reduced the Wages of the Facilities Operations, Custodial Services Unit

By: Chris Casillas and Jordan L. Jones

coverageIn Washington State University, Examiner Whitney held that the University did not refuse to bargain when it reduced the wages of its employees in the Facilities Operations, Custodial Services unit. Examiner Whitney stated that the University’s changes to the bargaining unit’s wages were made in conformance with their current 2013-2015 CBA.

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Filed Under: Duty to Bargain
August 17, 2015 by

PERC Holds That Installation of Cameras on Buses Not A Mandatory Subject of Bargaining

By Chris Casillas and Sarah Derry

feel like you're being watchedIn Community Transit, PERC Examiner Ramerman held that installation of video cameras on buses is not a mandatory subject of bargaining. Examiner Ramerman reasoned that: (1) video cameras had already been used in the buses, albeit in a more limited capacity; (2) bus drivers have no reasonable expectation of privacy while driving the buses; and (3) the cameras could further the employer’s significant interest in passenger and driver safety. Based on these three determinations, Examiner Ramerman concluded that the employer is not required to bargain with the bus drivers’ union over the camera installation.

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Filed Under: Scope of Bargaining
August 14, 2015 by

PERC finds Walla Walla Guild Waived its Rights by Inaction Over Change in City Firearms Policy Despite Repeated Meetings with City

By Chris Casillas and Sarah Derry

notice no concealed weaponsIn City of Walla Walla, Examiner Slone-Gomez held that the City of Walla Walla did not unilaterally change the off-duty weapon policy for police officers and sergeants.  The Examiner determined that the employer provided notice and opportunity to bargain the policy, but that the Guild waived its right to bargain through inaction.

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Filed Under: Scope of Bargaining
August 13, 2015 by

PERC Reverses Examiner, Holds Kitsap County Did Not Bargain In Bad Faith

By Chris Casillas and Sarah Derry

procurement rulesIn Kitsap County, PERC overturned Examiner Ramerman’s decision that Kitsap County engaged in bad faith bargaining.  The Commission considered two separate issues: (1) whether to consider Kitsap County’s brief even though it was submitted late; and (2) whether Kitsap County breached its duty to bargain in good faith with the Juvenile Detention Officers’ Guild. On the first issue, the Commission refused to consider the employer’s late brief, emphasizing that its procedural rules are to be followed in every case.  PERC characterized the late-filing as acting “in complete disregard of our procedural rules” and that it had “previously cautioned the employer that it disregards the Commission’s rules at its own peril.”

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Filed Under: Bad Faith Bargaining