Cities, Counties can lay off workers without union input

The Associated Press
Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2011
SAN FRANCISCO,CA

The California Supreme Court says financially struggling cities and counties are not required to consult with employee unions before deciding to lay off any workers.

Monday's unanimous decision upheld the City of Richmond's elimination of 18 of its 90 firefighting jobs in 2003 when the city was facing potential bankruptcy.

The International Association of Fire Fighters argued layoffs could have been avoided by cutting costs in other areas.

But the California Public Employment Relations Board decided work force reductions for financial reasons are not subject to collective bargaining. The state Supreme Court fully agreed.

The San Francisco Chronicle says Justice Joyce Kennard wrote in the ruling, which upheld lower-court decisions, that government employers still must negotiate over the implementation of layoff decisions.

Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2011/01/25/334980 ... z1C3xKeqp5