Category: PERB News

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Governor Vetoes AB 2126

Governor Brown has vetoed AB 2126, which would have made mediation mandatory and expanded the scope of factfinding under the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act (MMBA).  Here is the Governor's veto message: To the Members of the California State Assembly: I am returning Assembly Bill 2126 without my signature. This bill would amend the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act to provide that mediation in the collective bargaining process may be invoked by one party, rather than requiring both parties to mutually declare impasse and request mediation as required under current law. The bill would also specify that fact finding is not limited to disputes over a new…

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AB 2126 Passes Appropriations; Awaits Floor Vote in Senate

On August 14, AB 2126 passed the Senate Appropriations Committee and now awaits a floor vote.  AB 2126 is the last remaining bill in this Legislative session that would substantially affect PERB.  AB 2126 would make mediation mandatory and expand (or "clarify" in the words of the bill) the scope of factfinding under the MMBA.  The bill has to pass the Senate by August 31.  If it does, the Governor has until September 30 to sign or veto it.  

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PERB’s End of Fiscal Year Numbers

Overview: PERB issues 87 decisions

PERB operates on a fiscal year running from July 1 to June 30.  So fiscal year 2013-2014 is over.  PERB’s annual report for 2013-2014 is not due until October 1, 2014.  However, I have some preliminary numbers based on my tracking of PERB decisions.  This year was the first year PERB began issuing non-precedential decisions.  In order to make an apples-to-apples comparison with past years, where possible my numbers include both precedential and non-precedential decisions.  So with that assumption, my records indicate that PERB issued a total of 87 decisions this past year.  The prior year PERB issued 51 decisions.  The year before that it was 100 decisions.  I attribute the increase this year to the fact the two new board members appointed last year were able to get up to full speed this year.  Once PERB issues its annual report I’ll have a more thorough analysis.  Until then, here are the preliminary numbers:

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PERB Gets Additional Positions in New Budget; General Counsel Departing

Here is an update on some happenings at PERB: PERB's Budget for 2014-2015 Gov. Jerry Brown signed the 2014-2015 state budget on May 13.  For PERB, the new budget means the addition of several positions.  In terms of funding, PERB’s 2014-2015 budget is $8,756,000.  This is essentially the same as PERB’s estimated budget expenditures for 2013-2014 of $8,749,000. However, PERB’s new budget includes a $360,000 redirection from operating expenses to personnel expenses.  This will allow PERB to create four new positions from its 2012-2013 position allocation base “to address increased workload due to new statutory requirements, existing workload due to a prior…

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U.S. Supreme Court: Agency Shop Invalid for IHSS Workers

Harris v. Quinn (United States Supreme Case No. 11-681) (Issued 6/30/14)

Today, the United States Supreme Court issued a narrow but very significant decision on the validity of agency shop agreements in the public sector.  In a 5-4 ruling, the Court held that:

The First Amendment prohibits the collection of an agency fee from personal assistants in the Rehabilitation Program who do not want to join or support the union.  (p. 39)

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