by Betsy Martyn on January 28, 2016
posted in CEQA, Damages, Elections, Employee Benefits, Employment Law, Ethics, Legislative Updates, Medical Marijuana, Proposition 215, Public Records Act, Water, Zoning,
The following laws are effective January 1, 2016, unless otherwise provided. These legislative changes were selected as those of importance and/or interest to public agencies. ... Continue Reading
by David G. Ritchie on January 11, 2016
posted in U.S. Supreme Court, Unions,
Today, the U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear oral argument in Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association, Docket No. 14-915, a case in which the Court will be asked to decide whether “agency shop” arrangements violate the First Amendment rights of public-sector school employees on the premise that a public-sector unions’ activities are inseparably integrated into political speech. “Agency shop” is a permitted arrangement under California law whereby a union can charge non-members a fee, sometimes called an “agency fee” or “fair share fee” for negotiation and representation ... Continue Reading
by David G. Ritchie on November 4, 2015
posted in Employment Law,
The California Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) has issued their annual report for 2014-15. PERB’s report details the activities of the Board during the preceding year regarding public agency labor relations work among other issues handled by the Board. This year saw the reappointment of Board member Eric Banks, and the appointment of new Board Member Mark Gregersen. The 74 Board Decisions issued in 2014-15 are down from 87 in 2013-14, however, moving forward into next year, the Board will be fully constituted, while it was one member short for most of 2014-15. ... Continue Reading
by David G. Ritchie on April 15, 2015
posted in Disability, Employment Law,
A judicial appeal is pending from a recent decision of the Public Employment Relations Board in SEIU 1020 v. Sonoma County Superior Court, PERB Decision No. 2409-C. The case involves a decision by the Superior Court (as the employer) that employees do not have a right to representation in the interactive process in which requests for accommodations and consideration of the reasonableness of those requests are considered by the Agency. ... Continue Reading
by David G. Ritchie on November 21, 2014
posted in Employment Law,
The California Public Employment Relations Board recently released their annual report for 2013-14. PERB is the regulatory agency with authority over public sector labor and employment relations within the State of California, including those of Cities, Counties and Special Districts forming a significant portion of our clients. Some interesting and informative statistics are contained in each annual report regarding filings with PERB and PERB decisions. ... Continue Reading