The City claimed that the Union failed to bargain in good faith during negotiations for a collective bargaining agreement for Sanitation Enforcement Agents. Specifically, the City alleged that the Union filed for impasse after two days of negotiations, demanded bargaining over a prohibited subject of bargaining, refused to clarify its demands, and refused to consider the City’s proposals. The Union argued that the City understood that it was seeking wage increases consistent with a uniformed pattern that would narrow the pay gap between its members and Sanitation Workers assigned as sanitation police. The Union further argued that it considered and rejected the City’s proposals and that the City’s refusal to diverge from the civilian pattern justified its impasse requests. The Union also denied that it sought to bargain over a prohibited subject of bargaining. The Board found that the Union did not violate its duty to bargain in good faith. Accordingly, the petition was denied.

12-OCB2d-18-BCB-2019.pdf