Decision 0988S – State of California (Department of Personnel Administration) (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees)

Severance not granted as petitioner failed to rebut the presumptive appropriateness of present unit and how a separate unit of psychologists was more appropriate; p. 26.

Although psychologists have interests which distinguish them from other occupations in Unit 19 (e.g., a desire as well as a legal right to be admitted to medical staffs there is little evidence this has caused dissension among unit members or created an unstable bargaining situation; pp. 24-25. Bargaining history of Unit 19 revealed in case similar to that shown to exist in State of California (Department of Personnel Administration) (1989) PERB Decision No. 773-S where there was no "evidence that the interests of the employees included in the severance petition were trampled upon or ignored;" p. 25.

Board agent concluded that community of interest previously found to exist by the Board when it created Unit 19 still exists; p. 22. Although psychologists do have occupational characteristics which make them unique, the Board in creation of the unit recognized the differences; pp. 22-23. Crea6ion of new unit while occupationally fairly homogeneous, would include classifications with marked differences in education, licensing requirements, and job duties; pp. 23-24.

In the absence of countervailing factors, the additional negotiation and administration of a new unit would have a negative impact upon state government and militates against granting severence; pp. 25-26.