Dublin Professional Fire Fighters, Local 1885 v. Valley Community Services District

Dublin Professional Fire Fighters Local 1885 brought this action against Valley Community Services District and its officers to compel the district to “meet and confer” with the union concerning the assignment of overtime work. The district’s appeal is from a judgment granting a writ of mandamus.

Prior to June 1973, the district usually assigned overtime work to its regular employees. On May 15, 1973, however, a new policy was adopted, requiring use of temporary employees for overtime work. The union thereafter requested a conference with the district to discuss the new rule. The trial court found that the district had refused to meet and confer in good faith with employee representatives.

The requirement that a public agency meet and confer with recognized organizations of its employees is expressed in Government Code section 3505. In pertinent part, the statute provides that representatives of the public agency and of the employee organization shall “meet and confer promptly upon request by either party and . . . endeavor to reach agreement on matters within the scope of representation prior to the adoption by the public agency of its final budget for the ensuing…