Decision 0128E – Rio Hondo Community College District

District did not violate EERA by implementing a release- time policy without negotiating because at the time the policy was implemented there was no exclusive representative; pp. 15-17.

Release time need only be negotiated with exclusive rep.; pp. 15-17.

Even though EERA contains no free speech language, Board holds that a public school employer is entitled "to express its views on employment related matters over which it has legitimate concerns;" the Board will balance propriety of speech with impact on employee who may be susceptable to coercion or intimidation. Letters about including part-time faculty in Faculty Association covered by free speech; pp. 18-25. Employer speech which contains a threat of reprisal or force of promise of benefit will lose protection and constitute strong evidence of unlawful conduct; p. 20.