How do stewards request release time, and must it always be granted?
When a meeting is being held for which release time is provided, the union sends a written request to Employee & Labor Relations indicating theRead More →
Labor Relations
“Labor Relations” refers to interactions between an employer (management) and an employee organization (union). For public sector employers in the State of California, the Meyers-Milias-BrownRead More →
Meet and Confer: What do we do after the meet and confer?
Meet with upper management and/or Human Resources to finalize the plan. Analyze proposed changes and alternatives that were made at the meeting, and incorporate themRead More →
Meet and Confer: What do we do at the meeting?
Start the meeting by explaining the proposed change and the reasons for the change. You should use the comparison document you prepared as a guideRead More →
Meet and Confer: What do we do if we decide to make a change?
After consulting with Employee & Labor Relations, notify the employee organization(s) of the change in writing. The notice should describe the proposed change in detailRead More →
Meet and Confer: What do we do to prepare for the meeting?
It is important that you adequately prepare so that you present yourself at the meeting as being organized and knowledgeable about the specifics of theRead More →
Meet and Confer: What is the identifying trigger?
The need to provide employee organization(s) with advance notice and an opportunity to “meet and confer” is triggered any time the management of a departmentRead More →
Meet and Confer: Who attends the meeting?
You can expect a union representative, the union steward and one or more affected employees to attend. The union gets to select which employees attend,Read More →
Meet and Confer: Who is covered?
All County Departments and Divisions are covered and these guidelines should be considered and used by all County management staff. One or more employee organizationsRead More →
Positions Represented By Unions
MOUs are found online at http://hr.smcgov.org/memorandum-understanding-mou American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employee (AFSCME) Healthcare positions (excluding Physicians, Registered Nurses, and Clerical/Support positions) InstitutionalRead More →
Sample Notice to Union(s)
[DATE] [UNION PERSON] [UNION NAME] [ADDRESS] Dear [UNION PERSON]: We have been experiencing problems with weekend registrations in our customer service center. We are requiredRead More →
What are a steward’s rights regarding attendance at meetings?
Stewards are entitled to reasonable paid official time (also called “release time”) to represent employees in investigations or at grievance meetings, to attend meetings whereRead More →
What can I do to encourage successful labor relations?
Be alert to the usual causes of potential grievances, and correct minor irritations promptly. Be familiar with the MOU(s) and other written policies/agreements. Do notRead More →
What is “prior notification,” and why is it required?
By statute and contract, unions have the right to be notified about planned changes in the terms and conditions of employment, and to meet andRead More →
What is “meet and confer?”
As part of the County’s relationship with the employee organizations, and as required by California law, management must provide reasonable advance written notice to employeeRead More →
What is Agency Shop?
MMB allows unions to negotiate a provision which requires all employees in the representation unit who are not dues-paying members to pay the union anRead More →
What is the difference between a union business agent and a steward?
Unions generally have paid employees known as “business agents,” “field representatives,” “labor representatives,” “worksite organizers,” etc. These individuals are employed and paid by the union.Read More →
What is the role of a union?
MMB provides employees the right to choose a union to represent them in matters of wages, hours and other terms and conditions of employment. MMBRead More →
When is an employee entitled to union representation at a meeting with his/her supervisor?
The “Weingarten” decision states that an employee is entitled to representation at any meeting where an investigatory interview is being conducted and where the employeeRead More →