Proper Composition of Bargaining Units

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Section 3507 of the California Government Code, part of what is widely known as the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act, describes a set of rules and regulations including those surrounding determining the proper job classes to include in distinct bargaining units.  Section 3507.1 directs readers to local rules typically contained within Employer-Employee Relations Resolutions, however recognition must be awarded if a majority of employees desire representation.  In addition, certain employee groups are entitled to be represented separately from other employee classifications.  Examples of this include:  Professional Employees (Section 3507.3); Management and Confidential Employees (Section 3507.5); and Law Enforcement Employees (Section 3508).  For disputes on bargaining unit determinations, the Act allows issues to be submitted to the Division of Conciliation of the Department of Industrial Relations, who attempt to mediate and if necessary make recommendations that resolve the dispute(s).