CASE PROCESSING PROCEDURES; COMPLAINT – Request for Deferral to Arbitration

Single Topic for Decision A485M

View all topics for Decision A485M

Full Decision Text (click on the link to view): Full Text

When considering whether to defer an unfair practice charge to arbitration, PERB applies a three-part test: (1) whether the dispute arises within a stable collective bargaining relationship; (2) whether the respondent is willing to waive contract-based procedural defenses to the grievance or arbitration and is willing to arbitrate the dispute; and (3) whether the contract and its meaning lie at the center of the dispute. (p. 6.) The contract and its meaning lie at the center of the dispute when (1) the alleged unfair practice is arguably prohibited by the collective bargaining agreement and (2) resolution of the contractual issue must necessarily resolve the merits of the unfair practice allegation. (p. 8.) Deferral is not appropriate unless all factually or legally interrelated allegations are subject to deferral. (pp. 9-12.) The Board concluded the charge was not subject to deferral because, while three of four factually interrelated allegations met the criteria for deferral, the fourth allegation did not. (pp. 12-23.)