EMPLOYER INTERFERENCE, RESTRAINT, COERCION, EMPLOYER CONDUCT AFFECTING ORGANIZING, UNION ACCESS; SOLICITATION, AND OTHER UNION RIGHTS – Display of Union Insignia

Single Topic for Decision 1727E

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As it stated in Turlock I, the Board does not agree that the wearing of union buttons is “political” activity within the meaning of Education Code section 7055. When examined in light of adjacent statutory provisions and the purposes of EERA, the scope of the definition of “political activities” in Section 7055 cannot reasonably be construed so broadly as to encompass the exercise of concerted activity through the wearing of a button communicating employees’ bargaining demands, expressing unity and support for the union, and building solidarity. While the term “political activities” is not specifically defined in the Education Code, sections 7050-7058, read in their entirety, clearly associate political activity with an election of a candidate or a ballot measure. (p. 14.)