EMPLOYER REFUSAL TO BARGAIN IN GOOD FAITH; UNILATERAL CHANGE (FOR NEGOT OF SPECIFIC SUBJECTS, SEE SEC 1000, SCOPE OF REPRESENTATION) – Change in Past Practice

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A policy restricting APC’s use of CSU e-mail to communicate with employees, an existing practice that was acknowledged by CSU, clearly changes the status quo. CSU’s computer usage policies embody comprehensive rules on the use of computer resources, violation of which is grounds for discipline. These policies thus affect “unilateral implementation of a sweeping set of rules . . . .of the ‘quantity and kind’” that alter the status quo as set forth in the 1960 policy and Govt. Code section 8314. (Oakland Unified School District (1983) PERB Decision No. 367.) CSU’s new telephone and facsimile policy constitute a departure from the restrictions on telephone usage found in Government Code section 8314. The new grounds for discipline in the policy are also inconsistent with section 8314 and CSU’s 1960 policy. CSU’s new telephone and facsimile policy improve upon CSU’s 1960 policy, which prohibits use of state facilities, equipment or supplies for other than the performance of official business. Employers may not make unilateral changes to increase benefits, as well as reduce benefits.