January 29, 2013 By

Further Drop in Unionization Rates in 2012

By Jim Cline

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports nationwide unionization rates dropped markedly in 2012, dropping from 11.8% in 2011, to 11.3%.  BLS also reported that public sector unionization stood at 35.9%, while private sector unionization was at 6.6%.  These numbers in 2011, stood at 37.0 % and 6.9%, respectively.  In the 1950s, private sector unionization stood at about 35%.

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Filed Under: Collective Bargaining Rights
November 1, 2012 By

You Don’t Get what You Don’t Ask For: Arbitrator Unable to Award Unrequested Relief in CBA Violation

By Kate Acheson

In Central State University, 130 LA 1351 (Bell, 2012), Arbitrator Langdon Bell was precluded from awarding monetary damages against Central State University for a violation of their collective-bargaining agreement (“CBA”) with their security officers because the union did file a written request for a specific remedy.  Thus, although a violation with associated monetary damages was properly alleged, the Arbitrator could only direct the University to adhere to the CBA staffing guidelines in the future. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Arbitration Rulings, Collective Bargaining Rights, Contract Interpretation
September 27, 2012 By

Despite Managerial Prerogative Provision in City Charter, Colorado Appeals Court Finds Disciplinary System to be a Mandatory Subject of Bargaining

By Kate Acheson

The City of Denver was recently thwarted in its attempt to unilaterally implement a new disciplinary system on firefighters.  In Denver Fire Fighters, Local 858 v. City & County of Denver, the Colorado Court of Appeals upheld the firefighters union’s claims that a “discipline matrix” – which defined penalties for rule violations – is a mandatory subject of bargaining.

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Filed Under: Collective Bargaining Rights, Discipline
August 7, 2012 By

Alaska Supreme Court Recognizes Union Member Privilege

By Jim Cline  

In a precedent setting case, Alaska has become one of the first states to formally recognize the legal privilege between a union and its members.   In Peterson v. State of Alaska  (2012), the Alaska Supreme Court has held that the communications between a represented employee and his union were privileged and inadmissible in court. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Collective Bargaining Rights