Agric. Labor Relations Bd. v. Superior Court of San Benito Cty.

San Benito County Superior Court (hereafter the Superior Court) issued a writ of prohibition ordering the Agricultural Labor Relations Board (hereafter the ALRB) to “cease and desist any and all further attempt to impose liability on Heublein in connection with the Hat case.” The ALRB petitioned this court for a writ of mandate ordering the Superior Court to vacate its order granting the writ of prohibition. Since the ALRB’s proceedings against Heublein, Inc., were not in excess of its jurisdiction, the superior court had no authority to issue a writ of prohibition. Consequently, we grant the writ of mandate.

Background

In March 1989 the ALRB notified Heublein of an unfair labor practice charge against it and Michael Hat Farming Co. (Michael Hat). In February 1990, the ALRB filed a complaint against Michael Hat charging unfair labor practices. The ALRB did not proceed against Heublein at that time. In February 1991, the ALRB found that Michael Hat had engaged in unfair labor practices and ordered Michael Hat to “make whole its agricultural employees for all losses of pay and other economic losses sustained by them as the result of its refusal to bargain.” Michael Hat…