Podcasts – Labor Relations Information System

Rick Poulson interviews attorney Lance LoRusso, founder of the Blue Line Institute. They discuss Lance’s background as a sworn police officer and a police attorney, as well as the current challenges facing police officers and their advocates. This month’s cases: Court Reverses Decision Granting Retired Firefighters Retroactive Pension Adjustments, Stiegler v. City of Meriden, 348 Conn. 452 (Conn. 2024). Mandatory DEI Training Did Not Create Unlawful Hostile Work Environment, Young v. Colorado Department of Corrections, 2024 WL 1040625 (10th Cir. March 11, 2024). An update on mandatory vaccine policies: Jacobson v. Massachusetts, 197 U.S. 11 (1905). County Lawfully Reassigned Unvaccinated Deputy Sheriffs in Order to Meet Contractual Obligations, In the Matter of Albany County Deputy Sheriff’s Police Benevolent Association, Local 3872, Council 82, AFSCME, AFL-CIO, Charging Party, and County of Albany and Albany County Sheriff, Respondent., 57 PERB ¶ 3001 (Pub. Emp. Rel. Bd. N.Y. Jan. 16, 2024). LEOSA Trumps More Restrictive NJ Statute Limiting Retired Officers’ Carry Rights, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association v. New Jersey, No. 22-2209, 2024 WL 607340 (3d Cir. Feb. 14, 2024).

Welcome Rick Poulson to the LRIS First Thursday Podcast! April’s First Thursday podcast is a special two-person affair as LRIS Executive Director, Rick Poulson, joins Will as cohost. Rick talks about his background, how he became a labor attorney, and helps Will break down this months cases. Cases: Burden Of Proof Is On Employer To Prove No Materials From Compelled Statement Used In Criminal Case, State v. Flynn, 2024 WL 1112046 (Ohio App. 2024). Related case: State v. Jackson. Arbitration Award Upheld, Granting Disability Benefits To CO Who Fell Asleep While Driving During Mandated Overtime Shift, Department of Corrections v. Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association, No. 1201 C.D. 2022, 2024 WL 171905 (Pa. Commw. Ct.).

State of California rewrites its Racial and Identity Profiling Act, Letter to Rob Bonta, Attorney General for California (2024) ‘Marsy’s Law’ Does Not Shield Crime Victims’ Names From Disclosure, City of Tallahassee v. Florida PBA, 2023 WL 8264181 (Fla. 2023). Female Firefighter Applicant Unsuccessfully Challenges Physical Test As Discriminatory, Erdman v. City of Madison, No. 22-2433, 2024 WL 224982 (7th Cir.). Court Upholds Award Of Retroactive Sick Leave Benefits For Cos, County of Berks v. Teamsters Local 429, 2023 WL 8290257 (Cmwlth. Ct.). When Appealing Discipline, Don’t Lie On The Witness Stand, Village of Broadview, FMCS No. 231115-01165 (Brennwald 2024).

Good news on the economy and inflation The Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI data From The Washington Post: Falling inflation, rising growth give U.S. the world’s best recovery This month’s cases Wisconsin Municipalities Required To Offer Health Insurance And Bargain Over Contributions, Wisconsin Professional Police Association v. Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission, Case Number 22CV1674, 2023 WL 7924647 (Wis. Cir. Ct. 2023) Court Upholds Arbitration Award Reinstating Genital-Grabbing State Trooper, Michigan Department of State Police v. Michigan State Police Troopers Association, No. 363241, 2023 WL 9007696 (Ct. App. Mich. 2023) Employer Discriminatorily Terminated Former Union President, United Mine Workers of America, Local 522 v. Westmoreland County, PERA-C-23-41-W, 2023 WL 7144568 (Pa. Labor Relations Board 2023) What Is A ‘Constructive Discharge’? Hoffstead v. Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation, 2023 WL 8353271 (N.D.Ill. 2023).

The recurring attack on binding disciplinary arbitration. Will Aitchison covers a study from the Mackinac Center for Public Policy entitled “How To Improve Policing Through Collective Bargaining Reforms.” He covers its fatal flaw, and why law enforcement unions must be aware of it. View the press release. View the study. Cases: Statements Made To Criminal Investigator Not Protected Under Garrity, Foltz v. City of St. Louis, 677 S.W.3d 856 (Mo. App. 2023). ‘Workers’ Comp Bar’ Prevents Firefighter’s Suit Against Employer, Vann v. City and County of San Francisco, 2023 WL 8591612 (Cal. App. 2023). Common Law Marriages And Survivor Benefits, City of Euless v. Danlyk, 2023 WL 8595687 (Tex. App. 2023).

This month’s cases: Cell Phone Warrant Of Officer’s Phone Too Broad, Commonwealth v. Sukhadia, 2023 WL 7409309 (Penn. Super. 2023). Township Violates Free Speech Rights By Banning Thin Blue Line Flag, Pennsylvania State Lodge v. Township of Springfield, 2023 WL 7547494 (E.D. Penn. 2023). Firefighter’s Union Loses Challenge to Arbitrator’s Opinion, Tamburo v. City of Stamford, 2023 WL 7540719 (Conn. Super. 2023). Union President Can Waive Union’s Bargaining Rights, City of Methuen, 2023 WL 7184541 (MA LRC 2023). A special Christmas offering: Duck: The Police

Current Events The latest development in A.I. and policing: The City of San Jose signs on to use Benchmark Analytics’ First Sign Early Intervention System. How are cities dealing with the recruitment and retention crisis? Cases Consent Decree Does Not Impair Bargaining Rights, City of Newark v. Fraternal Order of Police, 2023 WL 6439402 (NJ App. 2023). Officer’s Brady Suit Can Proceed Pseudononymously, Doe v. Town of Lisbon, 2023 WL 5266283 (1st Cir. 2023). Other Brady developments: New amendment to Florida’s Law Enforcement Officers’ and Correction Officers’ Rights statue dealing with placement on Brady lists.

This month’s cases: Officers Entitled To Privacy About Participation In January 6 Rally, Jane Doe 1 v. Seattle Police Department, 2023 WL 4182193 (Wash. App. 2023). Download this case. Department’s Garrity Failure Results In Reinstatement, Foltz v. City of St. Louis, 2023 WL 5688659 (Mo. App. 2023). When Are Text Messages A Matter Of Public Concern, Prince George’s County v. Brooks, 2023 WL 5318327 (Md. App. 2023). Download this case. ‘National Police Association’ Loses Defamation LawsuitView the NPA’s Form 990.

The persistence of the recruitment and retention crisis in public safety. Related stories: A California city offered a $75,000 bonus to new cops. These departments are trying to keep up. Some small towns in America are disbanding police forces, citing hiring woes. The Cases: When Is An Employer Liable For Pre- And Post-Shift Work? Perry v. City of New York, 2023 WL 5490572 (2nd Cir. 2023). Officer Had Due Process Right To Review Third-Party Video Before Interview, City of Akron, 23-2 ARB ¶8218, (Goldberg, 2023). The Key Elements Of A Past Practice, City of Easton, 55 PPER ¶ 3 (Penn. LRB Hear. Off. 2023).

This month’s cases: Florida Court Upholds Termination Of CO For Medical Marijuana Use, Ortiz v. Department of Corrections, 2023 WL 4101330 (Fla. App. 2023). No Weingarten Rights When Merely Receiving Counseling Memo, Madison County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, 56 PERB ¶ 4541 (NY PERB ALJ 2023). No Privacy Right To Masturbate While On Duty, Demill v. Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, 2023 WL 3637408 (Utah App. 2023). Transfer To Rotating Shift Not ‘Adverse Action,’ Naes v. City of St. Louis, 2023 WL 3991638 (8th Cir. 2023). Employer Liability For Co-Worker Sexual Harassment, Stein v. United States, 2023 WL 3993014 (3rd Cir. 2023).

Important cases from the Supreme Court. Groff v. Dejoy Students For Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President And Fellows of Harvard College Muldrow v. City of St. Louis Latest news: NYPD signs new uniformed officers contracts. New EEOC Guidance on When the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Selection Procedures May Be Discriminatory Arbitrator Orders In-Person Rather Than Video Hearing Department of Veterans Affairs, 2023 BNA LA 75 (Bonney 2023). National Academy of Arbitrators Opinion 26

This month’s cases: Union, Not Member, Has Right To Invoke Arbitration, Pendleton Police Department, 2023 WL 2858867 (OR ERB 2023). Paid Union Leave Legal In Texas, Borgelt v. Austin Firefighters Association, 2022 WL 17096786 (Tex. App. 2022). Austin Firefighters contract. This and other contracts available for download from the LRIS labor contract library. Political Patronage Case Subject To Arbitration, Orange County Sheriff’s Office Employees Association v. Orange County, Texas, 2023 WL 2418939 (Tex. App. 2023). Obtaining New Job Defeats Constitutional Liberty Claim, Jones v. Lake County Sheriff’s Office, 2023 WL 2631659 (N.D. Ill. 2023). Loudermill v. Cleveland Board of Education

The movie and novel Minority Report introduced the idea of “precrime.” Could AI make this a reality? Benchmark Analytics claims it can predict adverse officer actions before they happen. This month’s cases: Boston Allowed To Implement Vaccination Policy, Boston Firefighters Union, Local 718 v. City of Boston, 2023 WL 2698781 (Mass. 2023). Court Turns Away Challenge To Union’s Non-Member Fee Structure, Taylor v. Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association, 2023 WL 2565029 (Penn. Super. 2023).This is the first major case related to the Janus decision. Download Janus. ALJ Finds Employer Engaged In Illegal Surface Bargaining, City of Compton, 47 PERC ¶ 130 (Cal. PERB 2023). Change Of Union Does Not Necessarily Terminate Grievance Procedure, City of Chelsea, 203 N.E.3d 1142 (Mass. 2023).

The first meaningful applications of artificial intelligence in the public safety labor world are happening. What does this bode for the near future? Benchmark Analytics: https://www.benchmarkanalytics.com/ Article: Event-level prediction of urban crime reveals a signature of enforcement bias in US cities from Nature Human Behaviour, published June 30, 2022, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-022-01372-0 Cases: Arbitrator’s Decision Reinstating Text-Messaging Officer Not Against Public Policy, City of Springfield v. PPBA, Unit 5, 2023 IL App (4th) 220321-U (Ill. App. 2023). No Privacy Protections Against Disclosure Of Officers’ Names, Fraternal Order of Police v. District of Columbia, 2023 WL 2317584 (D.C. App. 2023). Related article: Los Angeles police accidentally release photos of undercover officers to watchdog website, published March 21, 2023 by the Los Angeles Times Related case: Kallstrom v. City of Columbus

Portland survived Winter Apocalypse 2023! This month’s cases: Firefighter Entitled To Unemployment Benefits After Firing For Use Of Medical Marijuana, City of Waterbury, 216 Conn.App. 717 (2022). No Privacy Interest In On-Line Videos, Mason v. City of Waco, 2023 WL 1926984 (W.D. Tex. 2023).Behind The Blue Curtain Podcast Officer’s Facebook Lawsuit Survives Motion To Dismiss, Bresnahan v. City of St. Peters, 2023 WL 310208 (8th Cir. 2023). ‘Me-Too’ Issues Must Be Arbitrated, Cook County, 2022 WL 18549609 (Ill. App. 2022).

In this month’s podcast: Article: Evidence On Measures To Reduce Excessive Use Of Force By The Police (h/t to PORAC). Firefighter Schedule Change Illegal Discrimination, IAFF, Local 365 v. City of East Chicago, 2022 WL 17829283 (7th Cir. 2022). Sergeant Has Privacy Interest In Dropbox Account Created With Employer’s Email, State v. Bowers, 2022 WL 17984985 (Wisc. App. 2022). Workers Comp Limitation On Stress Claims Not Unconstitutional, Matthews v. Industrial Commission of Arizona, 2022 WL 17172180 (Ariz. 2022). (Article 18, Section 8 of Arizona State Constitution) Officer’s Suicide ‘Line Of Duty’ Death, In re Lannon, 2022 WL 17747778 (Minn. App. 2022).

It’s a new year and the times, they are a-changin’ here at LRIS. In this month’s podcast: An announcement from Will Aitchison. No Religious Freedom Exception To Photographs In Uniform, Swartz v. Sylvester, 2022 WL 17090374 (1st Cir. 2022). City To Pay $1.6 Million For Firefighter Staffing Violation, East Cleveland IAFF 500 v. City of East Cleveland, 2022 WL 16635231 (Ohio App. 2022). Backpay Can Include Overtime, Stockli v. North Carolina Department of Public Safety, 2022 WL 16937444 (N.C. App. 2022). Court Upholds Chicago Police Vaccination Requirement, Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge No. 7 v. City of Chicago, 2022 IL App (1st) 220346-U (Ill. App. 2022). Officer Loses Job To Facebook Post, Kirkland v. City of Marysville, 2022 WL 17413720 (6th Cir. 2022). Union Fails To Timely Demand To Bargain Over Pension Changes, Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs, 47 PERC ¶ 84, (Cal. PERB 2022).

This month’s cases: Not Unconstitutional To Bar Recording IA Interviews, Hils v. Davis, 2022 WL 16731082 (6th Cir. 2022). Firefighter Loses Free Speech Lawsuit Over Voicemail, Millspaugh v. Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services, 2022 WL 17101337 (11th Cir. 2022). Unsubstantiated Rumors Do Not Start Bill Of Rights Statute Of Limitations, Shouse v. County of Riverside, 2022 WL 16646827 (Cal. App. 2022). Reasonable Accommodation And Cold Baths, Bright v. Martin, 2022 WL 16712874 (E.D. La. 2022). PTSD Caused By Shooting, Not Gradual Stress, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department v. Marx, 2022 WL 17185093 (Nev. App. 2022).

Cases: The City of Oklahoma City and Devin Frazier decision, City of Oklahoma City, FMCS Case No. 210710-08292 (Rubinett 2022). Ex Parte Advice From Decisionmaker’s Wife Violates Due Process, Johnson v. Department of the Air Force, 2022 WL 4456279 (Fed. Cir. 2022). Court Allows Employer To Seize Corrections Officer’s Guns, Anderson v. Molina, 2022 WL 14890243 (S.D.N.Y. 2022). Reasonable Accommodation And A Corrections Lieutenant’s Job, Tate v. Dart, 2022 WL 14229458 (7th Cir. 2022). Court Upholds Anti-Fraternization Rule, Lewis v. Smith, 2022 WL 10965839 (5th Cir. 2022).

What’s going on with the Consumer Price Index? Cases: Waiver Of Bargaining Rights Need Not Be In Writing, Portland Fire Fighters’ Association, 321 Or. App. 569 (2022). Vice-President’s Knowledge Can Waive Union’s Right To Bargain, Syracuse Firefighters Association, 55 PERB ¶ 4551 (NY PERB ALJ 2022). Corrections Officers Lack Standing To Challenge Sick Leave Confinement Policy, Castro v. Dart, No. 1:2019cv00471 (N.D. Ill.2022). Kentucky Supreme Court Conversations Between Union And Members Confidential, River City Fraternal Order of Police v. Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government, 2022 WL 4397981 (Ky. 2022). Murder Of Ex-Wife Results In Loss Of Pension Benefits, Peterson v. Board of Trustees, 2022 IL App (3d) 210100-U (Ill. App. 2022). Post-Retirement Conduct Can Result In Pension Forfeiture, Mahan v. Boston Retirement Board, 2022 WL 4073845 (Mass. 2022).

Policing and police staffing in Portland, Oregon. Article: The Injustice Of Under-Policing In America First Federal Appeals Court Plain View Project Case, Hernandez v. City of Phoenix, 2022 WL 3132422 (9th Cir. 2022). Phoenix And Plain View Project In State Court, McMichael-Gombar v. Phoenix Civil Service Board, 73 Arizona Cases Digest 4 (Az. App. 2022). Iowa’s New Brady Statute Grants Protections To Officers, https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=89&ba=HF2496 Officer Had No Expectation Of Privacy In Employer Video Equipment, Kilmer v. State of Texas, 2022 WL 3053873 (Tex. App. 2022). Disagreement With Tactics Not Basis For Claim Against Union, In re Bruder, 55 PERB ¶ 4542 (NY PERB Director 2022). Union Does Not Breach DFR By Refusing To Bargain Seniority Issue, Barth v. City of Cranston, 2022 WL 3225382 (1st Cir. 2022). Premium podcast will be returning soon!

In this month’s podcast: Religious speech implications of the Supreme Court’s Kennedy decision. Confederate Flag Costs Sergeant Her Job, Cotriss v. City of Roswell, 2022 WL 2345729 (11th Cir. 2022). Garrity Offers No Protection For Dishonesty, Delaware v. MacColl, 2022 WL 2388397 (Del. Super. 2022). No Due Process Right To Promotion From Expired List, Cummings v. City of Bridgeport, 2022 WL 1720335 (D. Conn. 2022). Pre-Disciplinary Hearing Must Precede, Not Follow, Sustaining Of Complaint, Washington v. Shreveport fire & Police Civil Service Board, 2022 WL 1654146 (La. App. 2022). Officer’s Experience With Death And Decaying Bodies Defeats Disability Claim, Mesmer v. Board of Trustees, 2022 WL 946070 (N.J. App. 2022).

How does the Supreme Court decision in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District affect public safety employees and employers?Mentioned in this discussion: Garcetti v. Ceballos Other cases discussed: New Disciplinary Matrix And Procedures Are Negotiable, City of Newark, 2022 WL 2168226 (N.J. PERC 2022). No DFR Breach When Fire Union Balances Competing Priorities Of Members, Gault v. Portland Firefighters’ Association, 2022 WL 2077926 (Oregon ERB 2022). No Discipline For Following Lieutenant’s Guidance, Jenkins v. New Orleans Police Department, 2022 WL 2237457 (La. App. 2022).

This month’s cases: Porta-Potty Retaliation, City of Shelton, 2022 WL 1442880 (CT.Dept.Lab. 2022). [Download the decision.] What Happens When The Employer Fails To Respond To A Grievance? Sun Coast PBA v. City of St. Petersburg, 2022 WL 1521990 (Fla. PERC Gen. Coun. 2022). No Weingarten Representation When Employer Assures Employee Discipline Not Possible, Canovas v. Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners, 2022 WL 1265867 (Fla. PERC 2022). Arrest Does Not Necessarily Trigger Weingarten Rights, State of New Jersey, 2022 WL 810182 (N.J. PERC ULP Director 2022). Sergeant Demoted For Intimate Relationship With Officer, Wolfe v. City of Town and Country, 2022 WL 1165838 (E.D. Mo. 2022).

In this month’s podcast: New Jersey Attorney General’s cannabis compliance memo Cases covered Buffalo Protest Officers Absolved In Arbitration, City of Buffalo, (Selchick 2022) Federal Court Halts Firefighter Shift Change On Free Speech Grounds, IAFF, Local 365 v. City of East Chicago, No. 2:21-CV-154-PPS-APR (N.D. Ind. 2022) Qualified Immunity Shields Employer From Liability For Illegal Dropbox Search, Bowers v. County of Taylor, 2022 WL 1121376 (E.D. Wisc. 2022) No Privacy Interests In Another’s Apple Watch, Owens v. Logan Propes, 2022 WL 1109431 (M.D. Ga. 2022)

In this month’s podcast: Meet John Chrystal. John is the president of the Newark, New Jersey Police Superior Officers’ Association and has attended LRIS seminars for many years. He’s taken the knowledge gleaned from those seminars had translated it into wins for his union. Two recent cases illustrate this. City Guilty Of ‘Direct Dealing’ In Offering Retirement Incentive, City of Newark, 2022 WL 810185 (N.J. PERC 2022).City Stuck With Police Director’s Grant Of Grievances, City of Newark, 2022 WL 871381 (A.D. 2022). ADA Violated By Routine Physical, Psychological Examinations, LaCroix v. Boston Police Department, No. 19-cv-11463 (D. Mass. 2022). The Consumer Price Index. What’s driving the current numbers, unseen for 40 years, and what do they mean for the future of contract negotiations? LRIS wage and benefit survey.

This month’s cases: Major Cell Phone Decision From Phoenix, Turiano v. City of Phoenix, No. CV-21-01428-PHX-MTL (D. Ariz. Feb. 4, 2022). Arbitrator Upholds Chicago Police Vaccine Mandate, City of Chicago, (George Roumell, Jr. Feb. 23, 2022). ‘Gap Time’ And The FLSA, Conner v. Cleveland County, 2022 WL 53977 (4th Cir. 2022). No Employment Right To Use Medical Marijuana At Home, Ortiz v. Department of Corrections, 48 FPER ¶ 274 (Fla. PERC 2022).

A brief update on vaccine mandates. Cases: Arbitrator Upholds Lieutenant’s Termination For January 6 Charges, Bexar County, Texas (Thomas Cipolla, 2021). (Download the arbitrator’s decision.) LAPD Officers Lose Job To Pokemon Go, Lozano v. City of Los Angeles, 2022 WL 71705 (Cal. App. 2022). Union Can Demand Mid-Term Bargaining On Topic Not Covered By Contract, Multnomah County v. Multnomah County Corrections Deputy Association, 317 Or.App. 89 (Or. App. 2022). Effects Of Mandatory Psychological Exam Negotiable, City of Newton, 2021 WL 6140174 (Mass. App. 2021). ‘Firefighter’s Rule’ Bars Injured Officer’s Lawsuit, Topper v. Thomas, 2022 WL 38424 (Md. Spec. App. 2022).

Happy new year! This month’s podcast covers: Mandatory vaccinations programs (again). Courts and arbitrators continue to rule (69-0 by our last count) that there is nothing unconstitutional about employer vaccine mandates.First interest arbitration decision about mandatory vaccine programs.The law about whether or not an employee or labor organization can get injunctive relief while a challenge to vaccine mandate is going on.What the Supreme Court will be ruling regarding two of the federal vaccine mandates later this week. Non-Vaccine Cases: No Reasonable Expectation Of Privacy In iPhone Backups On Work Computer, Smith v. City of Pelham, 2021 WL 5863412 (11th Cir. 2021).Deputy Sheriffs As Political Appointees, With No Job Rights, Burns v. Cole, 2021 WL 5549411 (8th Cir. 2021).

This month’s podcast covers the most recent updates on vaccine mandates as well as the following cases: Due Process And The Brady Rule, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 5 v. City of Philadelphia, 2021 WL 5182646 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2021) (see also Duchesne v. Hillsborough County Attorney, 2015 WL 3897798 (N.H. 2015)). Union Entitled To Materials In Member’s Disciplinary File, In re New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, 54 PERB ¶ 3025 (N.Y. PERB 2021) State v. Ward, 2021 WL 5001793 (Ga. App. 2021)

Are you tired of hearing about vaccination mandates yet? We hope not, because this podcast is all about the legality of mandatory vaccination policies (spoiler alert: they are legal). Will tackles some of the most common questions he’s received or seen regarding employer vaccination mandates. They are listed below with a timestamp so you can navigate to a question that interests you most. Our Vaccination Mandate Litigation Table. Lastly, $5 in 1905 is the equivalent of $155.86 in today’s dollars. Questions: Do mandatory vaccination policies violate one’s right to bodily integrity/privacy? (00:17:07) Does a mandatory vaccine program violate the equal protection clause? (00:33:24) Is there an equal protection claim because the impact of vaccination policies falls disproportionately on Blacks and Hispanics because they are unvaccinated at a greater rate? (00:35:47) What about a religious exemption? (00:37:38) Are there are provisions of international law, such as the Nuremburg Code, that make a mandatory vaccination program illegal? (00:45:56) Is forcing someone who disagrees with vaccination to be vaccinated by putting their job at risk a violation of free speech rights? (00:50:11) Can mandatory vaccination policies violate the contracts clause of the constitution? (00:53:12) Doesn’t the Food & Drug Administration have provisions on emergency use authorization of any medical product that say the FDA has to ensure individuals given the medical product know they are free not to take that product? (00:55:30) Does an employer have to bargain over a vaccine mandate? (00:57:01)

Will interviews Angie Salvato and Dr. Vidisha Barua Worley, Esquire on the current state of recruiting and retaining quality law enforcement officers. The interview covers: The changes in general nature of prospective officers they’ve seen over time and why they think these changes have occurred. How the changes [...]

Tracking vaccine mandate litigation (Table)Police union website archive at Cornell Universityhttps://news.cornell.edu/stories/2021/09/police-union-websites-preserved-library-archiveCases:Apportioning Damages In DFR Cases, POAM v. Hatfield, 2021 WL 3907865 (Mich. App. 2021).No Duty Of Fair Representation Where Union Not Exclusive Rep, Brinson v. Florida PBA, 48 FPER ¶ 19 (Fla. PERC Gen. Counsel 2021).Who Chooses The Reasonable Accommodation Under The ADA? LeBlanc v. McDonough, 2021 WL 3116107 (D. Minn. 2021).

More on mandatory vaccination programs Jacobson v. MassachusettsBridges v. Houston MethodistKlaasen v. Trustees of Indiana University(7th Circuit opinion)From the EEOC: What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO LawsHorvath v. City of Leander, 2020 WL 104345 (5th Cir. 2020).Do unions’ have the right to bargain over the effects of mandatory vaccination programs?Are non-exempt employees who refuse vaccination eligible for unemployment benefits? Cases Houston Firefighters Win Pay Parity Appeal, Houston Professional Fire Fighters v. City of Houston, NO. 14-19-00427-CV (Tex. App. 2021)Judge Allows Conspiracy Lawsuit To Proceed Against Minneapolis Union President, Goyette v. City of Minneapolis, 2021 WL 3222495 (D. Minn. 2021).

Will starts off this month’s podcast with things employers and unions need to know about mandatory Covid vaccine programs. The EEOC’s FAQ page.Employer Covid Vaccination And Testing Program GuidelinesJacobson v. Massachusetts, 197 U.S. 11 (1905)Bridges v. Houston Methodist Hospital, Case No. 21-CV-01774 (S.D. Tex. 2021) This Month’s Cases Firefighters Lose ADA Lawsuit Over Beards, Bey v. City of New York, 2021 WL 2345249 (2nd Cir. 2021)Arbitrator Finds Implicitly Bars Subcontracting, Grand Rapids Police Officers Association, GRPOA GR. #: 5-19 (Dobry 2021)Involvement Of Decisionmaker In Appeal Violates Due Process, Briley v. City of West Covina, 2021 WL 2708945 (Cal. App. 2021)

The Last News Recruitment and retention crisisMandatory COVID vaccination (San Francisco)Oregon Senate Bill 204 on police reform Cases: Federal Court Allows Mandatory Vaccinations, Bridges v. Houston Methodist Hospital, Civil Action 21-1774 (S.D. Tex. 2021).Shifts, Seniority, And Religious Accommodations, In re Bloomfield, 2021 WL 2182984 (N.J. App. 2021).See Balint v. Cason City, Nevada https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-9th-circuit/1414071.htmlOfficer’s Brady Due Process Lawsuit Against Prosecutor Fails, Roe v. Lynch, 2021 WL 1903675(1st Cir. 2021).See Jonathan Duchesne & a. v. Hillsborough County Attorney https://caselaw.findlaw.com/nh-supreme-court/1705682.htmlCosts Are Legitimate Reason Not To Arbitrate Grievance, Sussex County Sheriff’s Office, 47 NJPER ¶ 123 (NJ PERC 2021).

Cases covered this month: Chicago Commits Bodycam-Related Unfair Labor Practices, Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #7 and City of Chicago, Case No. L-CA-20-024 (Ill. LRB ALJ 2021).Civil Service Referee Upholds Firefighter’s CBD-Based Termination, City of Cleveland (Colon), December 23, 2020.Link to CBD notice from Department of Transportation: https://www.transportation.gov/odapc/cbd-noticeFire Department’s Tattoo Policy Upheld, City of Brockton (Matchem), Case No. G1-19-234 (Mass. CSC 2021).Weingarten And Supervisory-Subordinate Conversations, Waukesha Deputy Sheriffs Labor Union v. Waukesha County, 2021 WL 1837223 (WI.Emp.Rel.Com. ALJ 2021).When Does A ULP Charge Block An Election? Coutre v. Village of Crestwood, 37 PERI ¶ 92 (Ill. LRB 2021).

In this month’s podcast, Will cover public safety legislation from around the country. Maryland: Eliminates the police officers’ bill of rights, use of force reform, county police accountability boards.San Antonio: Establishes collective bargaining for police officers.Austin: Voters approve binding arbitration for firefighters replacing the meet-and-confer system. Cases: Court Changes ‘Public Policy’ Doctrine To Overturn Arbitrator’s Opinion, City of Seattle v. Seattle Police Officer’s Guild, 2021 WL 1247946 (Wa. App. 2021). Firefighter Loses Gradual Hearing Loss Claim, Hartman v. St. Bernard Parish Fire Department, 2021 WL 1115358 (La. 2021). Florida Statute Shields Officers’ Names From Disclosure After OIS, Florida PBA v. City of Tallahassee, 2021 WL 1257869 (Fla. App. 2021).

Facts vs Perception On Race In Policing USA Today ArticleCUPES Study The Cases: Lawsuit Filed Challenging Mandatory Vaccination Of Corrections Employees, Legaretta v. Macias, 2021 WL 833390 (D.N.M. 2021).City Can Be Liable For ADA Violations Of Third-Party Evaluators, Gibbs v. City of Pittsburgh, 2021 WL 800255 (3rd Cir. 2021).Mandatory Retirement Not ‘Involuntary,’ Prospect Heights FPD v. Department of Employment Security, 2021 IL App (1st) 182525 (2021).Chief’s Questions About And Statements During Union Meetings Amount To Illegal ‘Direct Dealing,’ City of Paterson, 47 NJPER ¶ 70 (NJ PERC 2021).

Upcoming LRIS webinars, premium podcasts and seminars. The cases: Firefighters, Families Lose Lawsuit Over Fatal House Fire, Speakman v. Williams, 2021 WL 49947 (3rd Cir. 2021).Challenges In Illinois To The ‘Public Policy’ Doctrine, City of Chicago v. Chicago Fire Fighters Union, Local No. 2, Case No. 2019 CH 12662 (Cir. Ct. 2020); City of Yorkville v. FOP, Case No. 19 MR 219 (Ill. Cir. Ct. 2020); City of Country Club Hills v. Charles, No. 18 CH 13458 (Ill. App. 2020).SWAT Sniper Entitled To Jury Trial In Facebook Case, Moser v. Las Vegas Metro. Police Dept., 2021 WL 98249 (9th Cir. 2021).

Will talks about the January 6 riot at the Capitol and the following cases: Public Policy And At-Will Employment, Potts v. City of Devils Lake, 2021 WL 99712 (N.D. 2021)Officer Loses Cell Phone Claim To Qualified Immunity, Lazar v. Knight, 2020 WL 7396255 (6th Cir. 2020).No Need To Track Down Attorney For Garrity Warning, Wilson v. State of Alaska, 2021 WL 138857 (Alaska 2021)

In today’s podcast, Will gives his reaction to events local (the third act of vandalism on his office) and national (the violent insurrection last week at the Capitol). What do events like these mean for us as a society in general and for police unions in particular? This is a no-holds-barred episode, and we’d love to hear your opinion — positive, negative or in-between. You can reach us at [email protected].

What race-specific effects does the size of a police force have? Will Aitchison talks about a recent study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research that addresses this question. Cases covered this month: Whether Bargaining Should Be In Public Is Not Mandatory For Bargaining, Lincoln County v. Public Employment Relations Commission, 475 P.3d 252 (Wash. App. 2020).The High Standard For PTSD Claims In Some States, Angle v. City of Huntington, 2020 WL 7315008 (W.V. 2020).Officer Required To Sit In Dark Building Loses Retaliation Case, Fiocca v. City of Philadelphia, 2020 WL 7397794 (E.D. Penn. 2020).When Must Federal Claims Be Arbitrated? Brooks v. City of Pekin, 2020 WL 7390328 (C.D. Ill. 2020).

It’s the last First Thursday podcast of 2020. Will gives a COVID-19 update and covers the following cases: Bargaining Obligation Prevails Over Wage Recoupment Statute, Teamsters Local 839 v. Benton County, 2020 WL 6602939 (Wash. App. 2020).Qualified Immunity Bars Dispatcher’s Second Amendment Claim, Calderone v. City of Chicago, 2020 WL 6500933 (7th Cir. 2020).Terminated Officer’s Lawsuit Against Union Lawyer Fails, Zander v. Carlson, 2020 IL 125691 (Ill. 2020).Pregnancy And Light Duty Work, Legg v. Watson, 2020 WL 6325850 (2nd Cir. 2020).

Will discusses ballot measures from across the country on police issues. Cases covered: Prosecutor Allowed To Disclose Brady Information To Chief, In re Grand Jury Investigation, 485 Mass. 641 (Mass. 2020). Prosecutor Shielded From Officers’ Suit By Qualified Immunity, Stockdale v. Helper, 2020 WL 6372910 (6th Cir. 2020). Reporting Corruption Not Protected By First Amendment, DeWyse v. Federspiel, 2020 WL 5993092 (6th Cir. 2020). Reprimand Not Sufficiently ‘Adverse’ To Support Discrimination Suit, Green v. Cashion, 2020 WL 6372366 (Mich. App. 2020).

Announcements: The new edition of our book The Rights of Law Enforcement Officers is now available. 2021 Seminar ScheduleLRIS Webinars Cases: When Does An Employer Have To Disclose Disciplinary Files? Milwaukee Police Supervisors’ Organization v. City of Milwaukee, 2020 WL 5747114 (WI.Emp.Rel.Com. 2020).‘Mere Technical’ Violations Of Bill Of Rights Not Basis To Reverse Termination, Hiller v. City of Rehoboth Beach, 2020 WL 5637053 (Del. Super. 2020).Firefighter Intentionally Hit By Fire Truck Has No Federal Lawsuit, Smothers v. District of Columbia, 2020 WL 5411294 (D.D.C. 2020).‘Failure To Train’ Claim Must Show Deliberate Indifference, Pepitone v. Township of Lower Merion, 2020 WL 4604481 (E.D. Pa. 2020).

An update on LRIS seminars during COVD-19 The police reform movement Cases: City Stuck With Police Director’s Grievance Resolution, City of Newark, 47 NJPER ¶ 15 (NJ PERC ALJ 2020). Reinstatement Of Corporal Who Used Unnecessary Force Does Not Violate Public Policy, Cuyahoga County v. UAW, Local 70, 2020 WL 4804962 (Ohio App. 2020). Officer’s Brady Lawsuit Against Prosecutor Survives, Krile v. Lawyer, 2020 WL 4360050 (N.D. 2020). EMS Captain’s Facebook Post May Be Constitutionally Protected, Marquardt v. Carlton, 2020 WL 4811388 (6th Cir. 2020).

Jeremy Conking of the Anchorage Police Department Employees Association and Keith Olson of the Yonkers Police Benevolent Association speak with Will Aitchison about challenges facing police unions today and how they are dealing with them.

Protests in Portland, Oregon Social media screening services From our Q&A: Is there existing case law regarding an employee’s refusal to wear a protective mask on religious grounds? Cases: Public Records Law Prevails Over Purging Clause In Contract, City of Chicago v. Fraternal Order of Police, 2020 IL 124831 (7th Cir. 2020) Contracts And Memoranda Of Understanding, City of Brook Park v. FOP, Lodge #15, 2020 WL 3501301 (Ohio App. 2020). Patronage Allowed In Missouri Sheriff Departments, Curtis v. Christian County, Missouri, 2020 WL 3477025 (8th Cir. 2020).

A previous version of this podcast included the wrong recording. Will discusses Minnesota’s sweeping new police reform billp just passed last night. Sections 1 & 3, Peer Counseling (00:01:20)Section 2, Critical Incident Stress Management Data (00:05:11)Section 4, Critical Incident Stress Management Team Members (00:05:25)Section 5, Independent Use of Force Investigations Unit (00:07:25)Section 6, Residency (00:07:58)Sections 7, 8 & 9 Use of Force (00:08:20)Section 10, Board of Police Officers Standards and Training (00:09:35)Section 11, POST Licensure (00:09:53)Section 12, Warrior Style Training (00:10:22)Section 13, Ensuring Police Excellence and Improving Community Relations Advisory Council (00:12:05)Section 14, Police Officer Data (00:13:17)Section 15, Statewide Use of Force Standards (00:13:36)Section 16, Record-Keeping (00:17:34)Section 17, Licensing Sanctions (00:17:41)Section 18, Reporting Requirements (00:17:53)Section 19, Training in Crisis Response, Conflict Management, and Cultural Diversity (00:19:17)Section 20, Autism Training (00:23:15)Section 21, Duty to Intervene (00:23:38)Section 22, Arbitration (00:24:30)Sections 23-27, Funding (00:28:56) Download our summary of the bill.