BENSALEM TOWNSHIP POLICE BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION

VS. BENSALEM TOWNSHIP

(Pa. L.R. Board - June 21, 2005)

The Township unilaterally instituted an unpaid, on-call requirement for police detectives. The Association filed an unfair labor practice charge alleging that the Township failed to bargain over the on-call requirement. The Labor Board held that the Township has a duty to bargain over the institution of an unpaid, on-call policy.

ELLWOOD CITY POLICE WAGE AND POLICY UNIT

VS. ELLWOOD CITY BOROUGH

(Pa. L.R.B. - June 21, 2005)

The PLRB hearing examiner properly concluded that Ellwood City violated Section 6(1)(a) and 6(1)(e) of the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Act when it unilaterally changed from two to one, the number of police officers used to transport male prisoners. The municipality had argued that the change fell within its managerial prerogative and was contractually privileged.

The Labor Board rejected the municipality’s management rights argument, noting that the safety interests of the affected officers outweighed the municipality’s interest in determining levels of service.