D.U.P. No. 2012-10
Synopsis:
The Director of Unfair Practices dismisses an unfair practice charge filed by the Totowa Board of Education against the Totowa Education Association. The charge, as amended, alleges that the Association violated 5.4b(1), (2), and (5) of the Act when it “defamed and disparaged” the Superintendent at an Association meeting conducted in a restaurant open to the general public by describing him as a "bully" and "no friend of the Association." The charge also alleges that the Association has “consistently failed to follow the grievance procedure” set forth in the parties’ collective negotiations agreement which has “prevented the Superintendent and the Board from properly adjudicating grievances."
The Director noted that our Commission does not have jurisdiction over defamation claims. Newark Firemans Union, Inc., Local 1846 and Fire Fighters Association of New Jersey (Bishop, Johnson, et al.), P.E.R.C. No. 96-43, 22 NJPER 29 (¶27014 1995). With regard to the allegation that the Association “consistently failed to follow the grievance procedure” set forth in the parties’ collective negotiations agreement, the Director concluded that the allegation was not pled with the specificity required by N.J.A.C. 19:14-1.3(a)(3). The Director further determined that even if the charge were amended to provide the specificity required by the rule, an allegation that a public employer is harmed by a majority representative’s failure to file a grievance in accordance with the parties’ negotiated procedure would likely be dismissed.
PERC Citation:
D.U.P. No. 2012-10, 38 NJPER 272 (¶93 2012)
Appellate History:
Additional:
Miscellaneous:
NJPER Index:
1.1, 73.117, 73.57
Issues:
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