All notes for Subtopic 1405.01000 – In General

DecisionDescriptionPERC Vol.PERC IndexDate
2867M * * * JUDICIAL APPEAL PENDING * * * City and County of San Francisco
1405.01000: GENERAL LEGAL PRINCIPLES; COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL; RES JUDICATA; In General
Collateral estoppel precludes the relitigation of an issue already decided in another proceeding where: “(1) the issue is identical to that decided in the former proceeding, (2) the issue was actually litigated in the former proceeding, (3) the issue was necessarily decided in the former proceeding, (4) the decision in the former proceeding is final and on the merits, and (5) preclusion is sought against a person who was a party or in privity with a party to the former proceeding.” (Castillo v. City of Los Angeles (2001) 92 Cal.App.4th 477, 481; see also City and County of San Francisco (2022) PERB Order No. Ad-497-M, p. 27.) more or view all topics or full text.
483007/24/23
1738M City of San Diego
1405.01000: GENERAL LEGAL PRINCIPLES; COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL; RES JUDICATA; In General
The Board did not give collateral estoppel effect to a federal court order where (1) it did not appear that the order granting motions to dismiss was final, (2) it did not appear that charging party is in privity with any party to the federal proceeding, and (3) the issue before the federal court was solely one of federal constitutional law, not MMBA law. (adopting proposed decision at pp. 12-13.) more or view all topics or full text.
295701/20/05
A497M City and County of San Francisco
1405.01000: GENERAL LEGAL PRINCIPLES; COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL; RES JUDICATA; In General
PERB is not bound by the findings and conclusions of another administrative decision unless collateral estoppel applies. (San Diego Unified School District (1991) PERB Decision No. 885, p. 74). The doctrine of collateral estoppel precludes the relitigation of an issue already decided in another proceeding where: (1) the issue decided in the prior proceeding is identical to that sought to be relitigated; (2) the previous proceeding resulted in a final judgment on the merits; and (3) the party against whom collateral estoppel is asserted was a party or in privity with a party in the prior proceeding. (State of California (Department of Developmental Services) (1987) PERB Decision No. 619-S, p. 14, citing People v. Sims (1982) 32 Cal.3d 468, 484.) Collateral estoppel effect may be given to decisions of administrative agencies when: (1) the agency is acting in a judicial capacity; (2) it resolves disputed issues of fact properly before it; and (3) the parties have had an adequate opportunity to litigate such disputed issues. (State of California (Department of Developmental Services), supra, pp. 14-15; People v. Sims, supra, 32 Cal.3d at p. 484.) In this matter, the Board did not proceed past the first step of analysis, as the issues decided in the prior proceeding were not identical to those raised by the Association’s severance petition. (pp. 27-28.) more or view all topics or full text.
477410/17/22
2660S State of California (Office of the Inspector General)
1405.01000: GENERAL LEGAL PRINCIPLES; COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL; RES JUDICATA; In General
Court of Appeal decision involving an anti-SLAPP motion in a related state court action did not collaterally estop the Board from deciding whether correctional officers were entitled to representation under NLRB v. J. Weingarten, Inc. (1975) 420 U.S. 251, 256. In anti-SLAPP motions, the factual record is inherently limited because the filing of a notice of motion immediately suspends all discovery in the action, absent a court order. Accordingly, the union could not have fully litigated the Weingarten issue to the extent it did before PERB. (p. 32.) more or view all topics or full text.
444808/15/19
2660S State of California (Office of the Inspector General)
1405.01000: GENERAL LEGAL PRINCIPLES; COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL; RES JUDICATA; In General
Court of Appeal decision did not have preclusive effect because the court analyzed the correctional officers’ right to representation only under NLRB v. J. Weingarten, Inc. (1975) 420 U.S. 251, 256; it did not analyze their rights under the Dills Act and the more expansive highly unusual circumstances test articulated in Redwoods College Dist. v. Public Employment Relations Bd. (1984) 159 Cal.App.3d 617. Accordingly, even if res judicata did apply, PERB would still be empowered to determine whether the officers were entitled to a representative under the Redwoods test. (p. 31.) more or view all topics or full text.
444808/15/19
2660S State of California (Office of the Inspector General)
1405.01000: GENERAL LEGAL PRINCIPLES; COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL; RES JUDICATA; In General
Res judicata gives conclusive effect to a former judgment in subsequent litigation involving the same controversy where the following elements are met: (1) a claim or issue raised in the present action is identical to a claim or issue litigated in a prior proceeding; (2) the prior proceeding resulted in a final judgment on the merits; and (3) the party against whom the doctrine is being asserted was a party or in privity with a party to the prior proceeding. (p. 31.) more or view all topics or full text.
444808/15/19
2637S State of California (California Correctional Health Care Services) (Service Employees International Union Local 1000)
1405.01000: GENERAL LEGAL PRINCIPLES; COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL; RES JUDICATA; In General
Under California law, a party may be collaterally estopped from relitigating an issue if: (1) the issue is identical to an issue decided in a prior proceeding; (2) the issue was actually litigated; (3) the issue was necessarily decided; (4) the decision in the prior proceeding is final and on the merits; and (5) the party against whom collateral estoppel is asserted was a party to the prior proceeding or in privity with a party to the prior proceeding. more or view all topics or full text.
4316404/17/19
2624S State of California (Department of Social Services (Service Employees International Union Local 1000)
1405.01000: GENERAL LEGAL PRINCIPLES; COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL; RES JUDICATA; In General
The Board may grant collateral estoppel effect to a State Personnel Board (SPB) decision if it resolved one or more disputed issues of fact properly before the SPB that are also before the Board, and the SPB afforded the parties an adequate opportunity to litigate such issue(s). more or view all topics or full text.
4312802/05/19
2624S State of California (Department of Social Services (Service Employees International Union Local 1000)
1405.01000: GENERAL LEGAL PRINCIPLES; COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL; RES JUDICATA; In General
Nothing precludes the Board and the State Personnel Board (SPB) from reaching contrary findings based on the evidence before the respective agencies. That the SPB reached a different finding based on the evidence before it did not automatically render the ALJ’s finding erroneous. more or view all topics or full text.
4312802/05/19
A410M County of Contra Costa
1405.01000: GENERAL LEGAL PRINCIPLES; COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL; RES JUDICATA; In General
PERB is presently not bound by the superior court’s order in County of Riverside v. Public Employment Relations Board (2013) Case No. RIC 1305661 enjoining PERB from appointing a factfinding panel in any bargaining dispute arising under the MMBA other than in MOU negotiations. PERB appealed the court’s decision, which has the effect of staying the effectiveness of the superior court’s decision until the case is finally determined by the appellate court. Because there is no final decision in the County of Riverside litigation yet while an appeal of the superior court’s decision is pending, neither res judicata nor collateral estoppel apply until and unless the judgment is final. more or view all topics or full text.
3815404/16/14
A419M City and County of San Francisco
1405.01000: GENERAL LEGAL PRINCIPLES; COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL; RES JUDICATA; In General
A necessary element of the doctrine of collateral estoppel or res judicata of separate litigation is that the proceeding in the litigation has ended with a final judgment on the merits. When the lower court decision in the litigation is on appeal, there is no final judgment on the merits in the litigation. more or view all topics or full text.
397211/24/14
A414M County of Fresno
1405.01000: GENERAL LEGAL PRINCIPLES; COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL; RES JUDICATA; In General
PERB is not bound by a superior court's injunction and issuance of a writ of mandate where court's order is on appeal, because appeal automatically stays those orders. Doctrines of res judicata and collateral estoppel do not apply until and unless a court decision is final. more or view all topics or full text.
39806/17/14
A387M Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System
1405.01000: GENERAL LEGAL PRINCIPLES; COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL; RES JUDICATA; In General
In ruling on election objections, PERB’s inquiry is whether the employer’s conduct interfered with employees’ right to choose a representative. An election will be set aside only when the conduct actually affects, or has a natural or probable effect on, employee free choice. Because the regional director’s administrative determination dismissing election objections addressed only the free choice inquiry, and did not rule on whether the employer’s alleged conduct constituted an unfair practice, the determination had no preclusive effect on a pending unfair practice charge alleging the same conduct by the employer. more or view all topics or full text.
3415810/25/10
2140H Trustees of the California State University (San Marcos)
1405.01000: GENERAL LEGAL PRINCIPLES; COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL; RES JUDICATA; In General
A dismissal of an unfair practice charge based solely on a Board agent’s charge investigation does not have collateral estoppel effect in later PERB proceedings. Although the Board agent’s dismissal of an allegation based on the allegation having been dismissed as part of another unfair practice charge was no longer supported by PERB case law following Grossmont Union High School District (2010) PERB Decision No. 2126, the Board affirmed dismissal of the allegation because it did not state a violation of HEERA under any viable theory. more or view all topics or full text.
3416511/02/10
2126E Grossmont Union High School District
1405.01000: GENERAL LEGAL PRINCIPLES; COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL; RES JUDICATA; In General
A dismissal of an unfair practice charge based solely on a Board agent’s charge investigation does not have collateral estoppel effect in later PERB proceedings. City of Porterville (2007) PERB Decision No. 1905-M overruled in part. more or view all topics or full text.
3412108/13/10
1949H Trustees of the California State University
1405.01000: GENERAL LEGAL PRINCIPLES; COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL; RES JUDICATA; In General
Judicial estoppel is an equitable doctrine, the application of which, even when all the elements have been satisfied, is discretionary. However, due to its potentially harsh consequences, judicial estoppel should be applied with caution and limited to egregious circumstances. Thus, it is an extraordinary remedy to be invoked when a party’s inconsistent behavior will otherwise result in a miscarriage of justice. To invoke the doctrine of equitable estoppel, the requesting party must show: (1) the same party has taken two positions; (2) the party was successful in asserting the first position; (3) the two positions are totally inconsistent; (4) the positions were taken in judicial or quasi-judicial administrative proceedings, and (5) the first position was not taken as a result of ignorance, fraud, or mistake. more or view all topics or full text.
325903/24/08
1905M City of Porterville * * * OVERRULED IN PART by Grossmont Union High School District (2010) PERB Decision No. 2126
1405.01000: GENERAL LEGAL PRINCIPLES; COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL; RES JUDICATA; In General
* * * OVERRULED IN PART by Grossmont Union High School District (2010) PERB Decision No. 2126, where the Board held that the Board agent’s dismissal of identical allegations in a separate unfair practice charge does not meet the “actually litigated” requirement for collateral estoppel. * * *Res judicata barred the addition of a claim (not alleged in the complaint) during the hearing where the same incident formed the basis of a prior unfair practice charge alleging the same cause of action on the same facts, which was dismissed by the Board agent, and the prior dismissal was not appealed. more or view all topics or full text.
319805/10/07
1711S State of California, (Department of Consumer Affairs)
1405.01000: GENERAL LEGAL PRINCIPLES; COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL; RES JUDICATA; In General
Collateral estoppel is not applicable where the SPB did not consider the identical issues before PERB, that of whether the discipline was motivated by protected activity and interfered with the rights of bargaining unit employees; p. 22. more or view all topics or full text.
291511/23/04
1649M County of San Joaquin (Health Care Services)
1405.01000: GENERAL LEGAL PRINCIPLES; COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL; RES JUDICATA; In General
Board may take notice of prior decision involving same parties. However, each separate unfair practice complaint must be decided on the merit of its own record. more or view all topics or full text.
2818706/29/04
1471E State Center Community College District
1405.01000: GENERAL LEGAL PRINCIPLES; COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL; RES JUDICATA; In General
No collateral estoppel as settlement of previous unfair practice charge did not provide basis for District to withhold employee home telephone numbers from union on the basis of a general form stating an employee's choice to exclude his or her telephone number from the District's home directory publication. more or view all topics or full text.
263302712/12/01
A246S State of California (Department of Personnel Administration) (California Union of Safety Employees)
1405.01000: GENERAL LEGAL PRINCIPLES; COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL; RES JUDICATA; In General
Collateral estoppel is a subsection of res judicata and involves "issue preclusion." Under the rule of issue preclusion, a prior decision 'operates as an estoppel or conclusive adjudication as to such issues in the second action as were actually litigated and determined in the first action;' p. 14. As the Board is faced with a new legal question, the doctrine of res judicata does not apply; p. 15. more or view all topics or full text.
172410205/18/93
A081Ea Dry Creek Joint Elementary School District
1405.01000: GENERAL LEGAL PRINCIPLES; COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL; RES JUDICATA; In General
Prior court ruling which determined that arbitrator had not exceeded his authority in fashioning award is not conclusive on subsequent Board action to determine whether award was repugnant to EERA; prior court ruling is not res judicata because it addressed a different issue; pp. 9-10. more or view all topics or full text.
41114107/21/80
1299S State of California (Department of Industrial Relations)
1405.01000: GENERAL LEGAL PRINCIPLES; COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL; RES JUDICATA; In General
The doctrine of collateral estoppel precludes a party to an action from relitigating in a second proceeding, matters litigated and decided in a prior proceeding, citing People v. Sims 1982) 32 Cal.3d 468; p. 8. Collateral estoppel is an aspect of, but not co-extensive with, the broader concept of res judicata. Collateral estoppel traditionally has barred religation of an issue if: (1) the issue is identical to one necessarily decided at a previous proceeding; (2) the previous proceeding resulted in a final judgment on the merits; and (3) the party against whom collateral estoppel is asserted was a party or in privity with a party at the prior proceeding, city People v. Sims; p. 9. The Board concluded that collateral estoppel effect can not be given to the SPB proceeding in this case since the issue considered by the The Board concluded that collateral estoppel effect can not be given to the SPB proceeding in this case since the issue considered by the established in People v. Sims has not been met; p. 10. more or view all topics or full text.
233001211/02/98
1238E Los Rios College Federation of Teachers (Deglow)
1405.01000: GENERAL LEGAL PRINCIPLES; COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL; RES JUDICATA; In General
Doctrine of collateral estoppel precludes Board from issuing complaint where charge raises issues identical to those dismissed in earlier charge involving the same parties; p. 7, warning letter. more or view all topics or full text.
222902112/02/97
1133E Los Rios College Federation of Teachers (Deglow)
1405.01000: GENERAL LEGAL PRINCIPLES; COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL; RES JUDICATA; In General
The doctrine of collateral estoppel prohibits the charging party from complaining about the duty of fair representation when the same issue has been previously litigated before a PERB ALJ and is the subject of a final hearing officer decision; p. 18, proposed dec. more or view all topics or full text.
202702901/19/96
1104S State of California (Department of Corrections) (California Correctional Peace Officers Association)
1405.01000: GENERAL LEGAL PRINCIPLES; COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL; RES JUDICATA; In General
Collateral estoppel is applicable to decisions of administrative agencies when: (1) the agency is acting in a judicial capacity; (2) it resolves disputed issues of fact properly before it; and (3) the parties have had an adequate opportunity to litigate the disputed issues. Collateral estoppel inappropriate when the issues litigated before the SPB are not identical to the issues litigated before PERB; p. 4. more or view all topics or full text.
192609705/18/95
1080S State of California (Department of Youth Authority) (Janowicz)
1405.01000: GENERAL LEGAL PRINCIPLES; COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL; RES JUDICATA; In General
Doctrine of collateral estoppel precludes a party to an action from relitigating in a second proceeding matters litigated and decided in a prior proceeding, if (1) the issue is identical to one necessarily decided at a previous proceeding; (2) the previous proceeding resulted in a final judgment on the merits; and (3) the party against whom collateral estoppel is asserted was a party or in privity with a party at the prior proceeding; p. 14, proposed dec., citing People v. Sims (1982) 32 Cal.3d 468. The three elements of the collateral estoppel test were met in this case because (1) the issues adjudicated in a prior state court action filed by Janowicz were identical to the issues before PERB, and in that prior case, judgment was entered against Janowicz; (2) the state court judgment was final and was a conclusive determination of the retaliation issue raised in that case; and (3) the parties were the court judgment was final and was a conclusive determination of the retaliation issue raised in that case; and (3) the parties were the more or view all topics or full text.
192603801/12/95
0954S State of California (Franchise Tax Board)
1405.01000: GENERAL LEGAL PRINCIPLES; COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL; RES JUDICATA; In General
No implied application of the doctrines of exhaustion of administrative remedies or collateral estoppel found where all alleged violations dismissed for other reasons. more or view all topics or full text.
162316410/21/92
0871S State of California (Department of Personnel Administration) (California State Employees Association)
1405.01000: GENERAL LEGAL PRINCIPLES; COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL; RES JUDICATA; In General
Doctrine of res judicata involves two general concepts: "claim preclusion" is the primary aspect of res judicata and collateral estoppel is the second aspect and refers to "issue preclusion." Under issue preclusion a prior judgment operates an estoppel or conclusive adjudication as to the issues in the second action which were actually litigated and determined in the first action; pp. 5-6, fn. 3. Res judicata applies in administrative hearings to decisions of an administrative agency made pursuant to its quasi-judicial functions; p. 6. Res judicata is an affirmative defense and may be waived if not properly raised; p. 6. more or view all topics or full text.
152206303/20/91
0805Hb Trustees of the California State University (Statewide University Police Association)
1405.01000: GENERAL LEGAL PRINCIPLES; COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL; RES JUDICATA; In General
Where PERB issues a decision which conflicts with an earlier SPB decision issued while acting in its statutory capacity in connection with employee disciplinary matters, PERB not required to apply collateral estoppel doctrine; pp. 3-11. more or view all topics or full text.
142121711/14/90
0727S State of California (Department of Personnel Administration) (California Union of Safety Employees)
1405.01000: GENERAL LEGAL PRINCIPLES; COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL; RES JUDICATA; In General
Original unit determination proceedings are not similar to a prior judicial adjudication of a disputed action between two parties. Nor was present exclusive representative a party to the original proceedings. more or view all topics or full text.
132007504/03/89
0630E Kern County Office of Education
1405.01000: GENERAL LEGAL PRINCIPLES; COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL; RES JUDICATA; In General
PERB will apply principles of collateral estoppel where all of the elements present; in this case application not necessary. more or view all topics or full text.
111813307/14/87
0631E San Diego Unified School District
1405.01000: GENERAL LEGAL PRINCIPLES; COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL; RES JUDICATA; In General
Remand to ALJ to determine collateral estoppel effect of prior civil service commission findings; issue not fully litigated before ALJ. (But see, California State University (1990) PERB Decision No. 805b-H, review denied.) more or view all topics or full text.
111814808/18/87
0619S State of California (Department of Developmental Services)
1405.01000: GENERAL LEGAL PRINCIPLES; COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL; RES JUDICATA; In General
Termination upheld by State Personnel Board given collateral estoppel effect by PERB where SPB took evidence and ruled upon identical issue before PERB. (But see PERB Decision No. 805b-H, review denied.) more or view all topics or full text.
111808504/17/87
0459S State of California (Department of Transportation)
1405.01000: GENERAL LEGAL PRINCIPLES; COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL; RES JUDICATA; In General
PERB not obligated to defer to SPB decision [where collateral estoppel not required]. SPB holding that discipline warranted does not preclude contrary PERB decision. Although SPB found employee engaged in proscribed conduct for which he disciplined, PERB in mixed motive case finds that employee would not have been disciplined but for his union activity. (See also PERB Decision No. 805b-H, review denied.) more or view all topics or full text.
91602712/12/84
0993H Regents of the University of California (San Francisco Interns and Residents Association/California Association of Interns and Residents/Service Employees International Union)
1405.01000: GENERAL LEGAL PRINCIPLES; COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL; RES JUDICATA; In General
While the doctrine of res judicata is not applicable and therefore does not bind the parties to the earlier holding, the Board's previous unit determination decision is certainly persuasive and entitled to great weight; p. 8, proposed dec. Previous unit determinations are binding only to the extent that circumstances and Board precedent remain the same; p. 8, proposed dec. more or view all topics or full text.
172408604/27/93