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August 11, 2010

PERB may elect to defer its consideration of unfair labor practice charge

PERB may elect to defer its consideration of unfair labor practice charge
PBA and Village of Ossining, 30 PERB 4711

PERB sometimes elects to defer considering unfair labor practice charges filed by an individual or an organization. It typically does so when there is some other procedure available that could address and resolve the issues that motivated the filing of the charge in the first instance. The Ossining PBA case provides an example of such a situation.

Ossining Chief of Police Joseph Burton “unilaterally changed the work schedule” of PBA unit members in an apparent effort to avoid paying holiday pay. Had the “natural rotation” of the work chart had not been altered, certain officers would have earned holiday pay.

The PBA protested the change and filed an unfair labor practice charge with PERB. PERB discovered that the PBA had also filed contract grievance concerning the matter, however.

The parties agreed to defer pressing the issue before PERB pending the resolution of the grievance.

PERB Administrative Law Judge Sandra M. Nathan observed that “it is appropriate to defer deciding whether the [Taylor Law] precludes the exercise of jurisdiction by PERB, pending the outcome of the grievance which has been filed.” She “conditionally dismissed” the PBA complaint.

What would be the result if the PBA had not already filed a grievance?

Assuming (1) that a contract grievance procedure was available, (2) that the issue appeared appropriate for submission as a contract grievance, and (3) that these facts were disclosed to the administrative law judge, the ALJ probably would have conditionally dismissed the complaint and directed the parties to first submit the matter for resolution through the grievance procedure.

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NYPPL Blogger Harvey Randall served as Principal Attorney, New York State Department of Civil Service; Director of Personnel, SUNY Central Administration; Director of Research, Governor’s Office of Employee Relations; and Staff Judge Advocate General, New York Guard. Consistent with the Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations, the material posted to this blog is presented with the understanding that neither the publisher nor NYPPL and, or, its staff and contributors are providing legal advice to the reader and in the event legal or other expert assistance is needed, the reader is urged to seek such advice from a knowledgeable professional.
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