To All Delegates and Members

December 29, 2001

PBA WINS COURT VICTORY ON PERB RULING

Seven judges of the New York State Court of Appeals have unanimously ruled in favor of the PBA, agreeing that the city's police and fire unions may ask a state panel (PERB) to resolve contract disputes between the city and the unions. In its court challenges the city argued that extending the labor board's jurisdiction was a violation of home rule. The Court of Appeals upheld the lower court decision and ruled that, because the 1998 law was a special law that serves a substantial state concern, the state panel (PERB) has jurisdiction.

This is a major victory for the PBA. It effectively takes arbitration of contract disputes out of the hands of the city's Office of Collective Bargaining.

Fraternally,

Patrick J. Lynch
President