Alameda County Assistant Public Defenders Ass'n v. County of Alameda

Plaintiff-appellant Alameda County Assistant Public Defenders Association appeals from judgment of the Alameda County Superior Court in favor of defendants-respondents.

Question Presented

Does the establishment of Unit XI illegally deny the Assistant Public Defenders of the right to representation by a professional organization of their own choice?

Record

Pursuant to the provisions of Government Code section 3500 et seq., the Alameda County Board of Supervisors on October 13, 1970, enacted the Alameda County Employee Relations Ordinance (Ord. No. 70-68) which provided rules and regulations for the organization and operation of organizations for the administration of county employer-employee relations. On February 23, 1971, appellant Public Defenders Association petitioned the county to recognize the association as the representative of attorneys employed in the public defender’s office for the purpose of presenting grievances and recommendations regarding wages, salaries, hours and working conditions.

On March 9, 1971, respondent county through respondent board of supervisors established Representation Unit XI, consisting of all non-health-related professional…