Court ruling casts shadow over EES, union contract
By Thomas Wilson, staff, Elizabethton Star,
A Tennessee Court of Appeals ruling regarding the illegality of a collective bargaining contract between a public utility and a labor union could cast a shadow over the existing union contract between the Elizabethton Electric System and the union representing more than 20 EES employees.
A unanimous ruling issued in December 2000 by a three-judge panel of the state's eastern district Court of Appeals upheld a lower court's ruling that a contract between a municipally owned electric utility and a labor union was null and void.
The appellate court's ruling came in the case of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 760 v. the City of Harriman and Harriman Utility Board. The IBEW had appealed the ruling from the Roane County Chancery Court that found the collective bargaining agreement between the union and the Harriman Utility Board was illegal.
Presiding Judge Houston wrote the court's opinion, which was joined by judges Charles Susano and Herschel P. Franks. In the Court of Appeals' ruling, Goddard wrote: "We find nothing in the Charter of the City of Harriman that either expressly or impliedly grants the city of Harriman, or derivatively, the Harriman Utility Board, the power to engage in collective bargaining or to enter into a collective bargaining agreement. Nor are we aware of any statutory law in this state that grants such power."
The appellate court's ruling raises questions whether the collective bargaining agreement signed in 2002 between the Elizabethton Electric System and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 934 is enforceable as a legal document. The EES Board of Directors approved a three-year collective bargaining agreement with Local 934 of IBEW in June 2002. The contract will expire in three months.
EES interim general manager Tim Reeser said on Monday that the union represents 21 ground men and linemen employed by the utility. Reeser declined to comment about the contract except to say the utility would be reviewing possible ramifications of the court ruling.
"We're going to be checking to see how that would affect us in the future," said Reeser, who referred further questions about the ruling to the utility's legal counsel John Banks.
When contacted Monday afternoon, Banks declined comment about the case or what possible impact it could have on the electric system's existing contract with the union.
Local 934's business manager Roger Farmer could not be immediately reached for comment on Monday.
According to the case background, the Harriman city government created the Harriman Utility Board in 1939. Employees of the Utility Board subsequently chose to become members of Local 760 of the IBEW.
The Harriman Utility Board and the union entered into a collective bargaining agreement in June 1949. The agreement constituted a labor contract, covering employees of the Utility Board. Over the years this original agreement, as modified and ratified, was carried forward and culminated in the agreement.
In October 1997, within the context of a labor dispute between the Utility Board and Local 760, the Harriman city attorney issued an opinion declaring that the Harriman City Council and the Harriman Utility Board had no power or authority to engage in collective bargaining with city employees or with union representatives.
The city attorney's opinion further declared that the results of any such bargaining were void.
Relying upon the opinion of the city attorney, the Utility Board subsequently declined to continue bargaining negotiations with the union. The board also declined to process grievances filed by the union on behalf of employees and former employees, according to the case background.
Union members along with several employees and former employees of the utility filed a lawsuit in the Roane County Chancery Court in May 1998 seeking enforcement of the collective bargaining agreement previously entered into by the board and the union.
Thereafter, the Utility Board filed a motion for summary judgment asserting that the agreement was beyond the authority of the board, against public policy and, therefore, void. The city of Harriman later filed a motion to dismiss and alternatively for summary judgment.
The Roane County Chancery Court entered a judgment in May 1999 granting the motions of the city and the utility board and dismissing the union's complaint. The lower court's opinion held that the city of Harriman and the Harriman Utility Board were without authority to enter into the collective bargaining agreement with the local and that the agreement was, therefore, illegal and void.
The union and employees appealed the lower court's ruling.
The appellate court referenced the case of Weakley County Municipal Electric System v. Vick, which was ruled on by the state Court of Appeals in 1957. According to that case background, striking employees of the Weakley County electric system maintained that the county electric system could lawfully enter into a contract with a labor union with respect to employees and their working conditions. The Tennessee Court of Appeals disagreed, citing a California case for the proposition that "to hold to the contrary would be to sanction government by contract instead of government by law." The Court of Appeals ruled that contract to be null and void.
The appellants argued that the holding set forth in Weakley no longer represented the law in Tennessee. The appellants argued that municipal corporations were not now prohibited from engaging in collective bargaining with their employees based on three state statutes.
The first two statutes relied upon by the appellants granted municipalities the right to engage in collective bargaining with public education professionals and transit workers, respectively.
The appeals court ruling in Harriman case states, however that these statutes are limited in application to the specific groups as designated by law. The court found the appellants' argument that the two statutes invest municipal corporations with the right to engage in collective bargaining in general was "without merit."
The appellate court's opinion refuted a third statute the plaintiffs argued recognized a general right of all public employees to engage in collective bargaining because said statute did not specify classification of public employees.
The court's opinion stated that statute "only applies in those instances where the authority to engage in collective bargaining is otherwise granted. (The statute) does not, in itself, grant or extend such authority."
The ruling made in 2000 found that the union or the utility's employees were without express or implied authority, either by statute or under the charter of the city of Harriman, to engage in collective bargaining or to enter into a collective bargaining agreement with the city or utility board.
Saturday, March 19, 2005
Old Ruling Against IBEW Local 760 (Knoxville TN) May Be Used to Prevent IBEW Local 934 (Kingsport TN) from Negotiating on Behalf of Union Members
IBEW Local 1547 (Anchorage AK) Struggles Against Republican Attacks Against Alaskan Workers
Key Republican, known for honesty and integrity, Supports Democrat for Alaskan Electric Coop Board
From the Anchorage Press Flashlight Column of March 17-23, 2005
... Strange bedfellows came out from under the covers in Wasilla this week when former Wasilla mayor Sarah Palin lent her voice to radio advertisements for Peter Burchell, a candidate for the Matanuska Electric Association board. Throughout the 1990s, the MEA board has been regarded as the Mat-Su's Republican playground. Palin has been something of a state GOP star, at least until she blew the whistle on state Republican chairman Randy Ruedrich's shenanigans on the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. Burchell's a registered Democrat who said he is courting support from the IBEW, the union that represents a huge segment of MEA employees and serves as a punching bag for conservative candidates during co-op elections. Palin was traveling this week and not available for comment. Burchell said he doesn't know if Palin's gotten any flak for the ads, but he suspects she might. He also said his candidacy was spawned by the recent flap over power lines planned through a popular greenbelt, not his pro-worker politics. MEA, he said, “is a co-op. It's not a private company that owns thousands of acres of private property with which we can do whatever we want.”
From the Anchorage Press Flashlight Column of March 17-23, 2005
... Strange bedfellows came out from under the covers in Wasilla this week when former Wasilla mayor Sarah Palin lent her voice to radio advertisements for Peter Burchell, a candidate for the Matanuska Electric Association board. Throughout the 1990s, the MEA board has been regarded as the Mat-Su's Republican playground. Palin has been something of a state GOP star, at least until she blew the whistle on state Republican chairman Randy Ruedrich's shenanigans on the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. Burchell's a registered Democrat who said he is courting support from the IBEW, the union that represents a huge segment of MEA employees and serves as a punching bag for conservative candidates during co-op elections. Palin was traveling this week and not available for comment. Burchell said he doesn't know if Palin's gotten any flak for the ads, but he suspects she might. He also said his candidacy was spawned by the recent flap over power lines planned through a popular greenbelt, not his pro-worker politics. MEA, he said, “is a co-op. It's not a private company that owns thousands of acres of private property with which we can do whatever we want.”
IBEW System Council 3Y (New Jersey) Return to Work After 14 Week Strike
BACK TO WORK
After 14-week walkout, JCP&L employees walk in together
Published in the Asbury Park Press 03/17/05
By DAVID P. WILLIS, BUSINESS WRITER
MIDDLETOWN — Neptune City resident Diane Barone walked into her office at Jersey Central Power & Light Co. shortly before 8 a.m. Wednesday for the first time in 14 weeks.
She was one of about 1,300 JCP&L workers returning to work after a bitter strike.
"Let me tell you, we're a little poorer, but it was so worth it," said Barone, a customer account representative who has worked for the utility for 15 years.
As a show of unity, Barone and dozens of other employees decided to enter the office on Newman Springs Road together.
"We have stood out united for the whole 14 weeks. It's only fair that we walk back in united," said Eatontown resident Michele Whelan, a customer account representative. "We are going back proud."
On Tuesday, employees represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, including line workers, meter readers and customer service representatives, ratified a four-year contract settlement.
JCP&L serves 1 million customers in 13 counties, including Monmouth County and most of Ocean County.
The new contract was hammered out by union and company negotiators during a 14-hour session on Saturday overseen by New Jersey Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Thomas D. Carver.
"Back into the flow"
On Wednesday, workers spent the day in small group meetings and performed administrative tasks, said JCP&L spokesman Scott Surgeoner.
"We want today to be a day of getting back together, getting back into the flow of things," he said shortly after the workday began.
Employees also heard a companywide "welcome back" address, broadcast via satellite, by JCP&L President Steve Morgan.
"He believes that we are in this together to serve the 1 million customers of New Jersey," Surgeoner said. "He wants to make Jersey Central a place where everyone wants to come to work every day."
The utility expects to reopen its customer service centers, which have been closed since the strike began, today, Surgeoner said. Other duties, such as full-time meter reading, will resume today as well, he said.
JCP&L's unionized line workers must have their commercial driver's licenses recertified before they can drive bucket trucks and other large trucks.
One requirement for keeping a commercial driver's license is a drug test every 90 days, Surgeoner said. Workers were on strike for 98 days, he added.
Yesterday, about five companies were administering drug tests, but it can take three to five days for the results to come in, Surgeoner said.
JCP&L is trying to work with the state and the federal Department of Transportation to see if there is a way to allow the workers to drive those vehicles within New Jersey until the drug test results are available, Surgeoner said, adding the company hopes for a waiver today. Another option available to the company is to arrange to have work crews transported to work sites.
Meanwhile management workers continue to do repairs and line work, he said.
Refocusing takes time
The strike came at a time when morale at JCP&L was already low. And it is likely there are workers who are not happy with the settlement, said Gayle Porter, associate professor of management at Rutgers University's School of Business at Camden.
But everyone — workers, management and the union — must move forward, she said.
"People have had this on their mind now for months, so you just can't say, "Starting today, just put it out of your mind' and decide that everything is OK," Porter said. "They have to think about something else instead. You have to really get people focused on what is the job we need to do. How can we do it better than we used to do it?"
Customer account representative Carol Smith, 38, of Howell was positive.
"The past 98 days were difficult, but I've a positive outlook, and if we can be adult and professional enough, it won't affect you," Smith said. "I need to get back to work, and I can't hold any grudges."
IBEW spokesman Jack Moriarty said the union's focus is to provide service to the utility's ratepayers.
"Against that backdrop, they are willing to do whatever they can to accomplish that goal," Moriarty said. "That is a shared premise that presumably everybody has. That is the starting point."
Surgeoner said there are "no hard feelings."
"It is good to have them back," he said. "We don't want to spend time on the past. We want to look to the future."
After 14-week walkout, JCP&L employees walk in together
Published in the Asbury Park Press 03/17/05
By DAVID P. WILLIS, BUSINESS WRITER
MIDDLETOWN — Neptune City resident Diane Barone walked into her office at Jersey Central Power & Light Co. shortly before 8 a.m. Wednesday for the first time in 14 weeks.
She was one of about 1,300 JCP&L workers returning to work after a bitter strike.
"Let me tell you, we're a little poorer, but it was so worth it," said Barone, a customer account representative who has worked for the utility for 15 years.
As a show of unity, Barone and dozens of other employees decided to enter the office on Newman Springs Road together.
"We have stood out united for the whole 14 weeks. It's only fair that we walk back in united," said Eatontown resident Michele Whelan, a customer account representative. "We are going back proud."
On Tuesday, employees represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, including line workers, meter readers and customer service representatives, ratified a four-year contract settlement.
JCP&L serves 1 million customers in 13 counties, including Monmouth County and most of Ocean County.
The new contract was hammered out by union and company negotiators during a 14-hour session on Saturday overseen by New Jersey Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Thomas D. Carver.
"Back into the flow"
On Wednesday, workers spent the day in small group meetings and performed administrative tasks, said JCP&L spokesman Scott Surgeoner.
"We want today to be a day of getting back together, getting back into the flow of things," he said shortly after the workday began.
Employees also heard a companywide "welcome back" address, broadcast via satellite, by JCP&L President Steve Morgan.
"He believes that we are in this together to serve the 1 million customers of New Jersey," Surgeoner said. "He wants to make Jersey Central a place where everyone wants to come to work every day."
The utility expects to reopen its customer service centers, which have been closed since the strike began, today, Surgeoner said. Other duties, such as full-time meter reading, will resume today as well, he said.
JCP&L's unionized line workers must have their commercial driver's licenses recertified before they can drive bucket trucks and other large trucks.
One requirement for keeping a commercial driver's license is a drug test every 90 days, Surgeoner said. Workers were on strike for 98 days, he added.
Yesterday, about five companies were administering drug tests, but it can take three to five days for the results to come in, Surgeoner said.
JCP&L is trying to work with the state and the federal Department of Transportation to see if there is a way to allow the workers to drive those vehicles within New Jersey until the drug test results are available, Surgeoner said, adding the company hopes for a waiver today. Another option available to the company is to arrange to have work crews transported to work sites.
Meanwhile management workers continue to do repairs and line work, he said.
Refocusing takes time
The strike came at a time when morale at JCP&L was already low. And it is likely there are workers who are not happy with the settlement, said Gayle Porter, associate professor of management at Rutgers University's School of Business at Camden.
But everyone — workers, management and the union — must move forward, she said.
"People have had this on their mind now for months, so you just can't say, "Starting today, just put it out of your mind' and decide that everything is OK," Porter said. "They have to think about something else instead. You have to really get people focused on what is the job we need to do. How can we do it better than we used to do it?"
Customer account representative Carol Smith, 38, of Howell was positive.
"The past 98 days were difficult, but I've a positive outlook, and if we can be adult and professional enough, it won't affect you," Smith said. "I need to get back to work, and I can't hold any grudges."
IBEW spokesman Jack Moriarty said the union's focus is to provide service to the utility's ratepayers.
"Against that backdrop, they are willing to do whatever they can to accomplish that goal," Moriarty said. "That is a shared premise that presumably everybody has. That is the starting point."
Surgeoner said there are "no hard feelings."
"It is good to have them back," he said. "We don't want to spend time on the past. We want to look to the future."
Friday, March 18, 2005
Missouri IBEW Members Support Power Plant Project Outisde Kansas City
PSC hears from plant opponents [and supporters]
By Scott Loesch, Special to the Democrat Missourian
After a dozen people spoke in support of Aquila’s plans for a new peaking facility near Peculiar, members of the Missouri Public Service Commission heard more than two hours of testimony against the project during a public hearing Tuesday night at the Cass County Justice Center in Harrisonville.
Most of those in favor of the plant, which has been under construction for two months, were representing organizations that would benefit from the project. The majority of witnesses that spoke against Aquila’s proposal were residents of the area at 243rd Street and South Harper Road where the peaking facility is being built.
In early January, Circuit Court Judge Joseph Dandurand issued an injunction to Cass County that said Aquila did not have the required certificate of convenience and necessity from the Public Service Commission to construct the plant in the county. On Jan. 28, Aquila filed an application with the PSC for the certificate to provide electric service in the area.
The commission will use information gathered from this hearing to make a decision on the case.
Some of the witnesses speaking against the proposed facility Tuesday said they were not opposed to the construction of the plant, but opposed to the location due to the number of residences in the proximity of the facility. Others questioned the need for another power plant in the area. Also, witnesses expressed concern with emissions from the plant.
During the hearing, Della January of StopAquila.org said she wanted to stress three points.
These included the fact that those affected were not given due process, that there was no objective review of the plant and that the delay is creating hostility in the neighborhood.
January’s remarks were met with applause from the crowd which had filled the courtroom to its capacity.
“This is an emotional issue,” she said. “We are concerned about property values, our health, the health of our children and our quality of life.”
January and others spoke of patrols by Aquila through their neighborhoods and in front of their house, questioning the need to patrol that far from the plant site.
Jeff Davis, chairman of the Missouri Public Service Commission, asked about these patrols and also said he was not aware of any problems with emissions from natural-gas powered plants.
“I have never heard of emissions problems with natural gas plants,” Davis said as he was met with gasps from the filled courtroom.
Later Cindy Mayer, who resides near the Aquila property, described some of the possible health affects from the plant in detail. One of her major concerns was the emission of benzine.
“This is going in a neighborhood of 250 houses,” she said. “We don’t need this in our area. We didn’t want our children and grandchildren raised with this.”
Before Mayer left the podium, Davis asked her for directions to the Aquila site with the possibility that he would drive by the location on Wednesday.
The first person to speak during the hearing was Peculiar Mayor George Lewis, who is also a customer of Aquila.
“I am strongly in favor of this facility,” he said.
He went on to describe the recent increase in population for the Peculiar area and said this facility would help to attract new business.
George Bremer, who sold the land to Aquila, said that Southern Star, which has a natural gas facility adjacent to the property, had always been a good neighbor and assumed that Aquila would not cause any problems.
Gary Kemp, business manager of the Greater Kansas City Building and Trades Council, and Mike Baker, business manager for IBEW, both spoke of the support Aquila has given to their workers.
Next, the Missouri PSC will have oral argument and hearings March 28-29 on Aquila’s application. The hearings are set for 10 a.m. in Room 310 of the Governor Office Building, 200 Madison Street, in Jefferson City.
Copyright © 2004 – The Cass County Democrat Missourian – All rights reserved.
By Scott Loesch, Special to the Democrat Missourian
After a dozen people spoke in support of Aquila’s plans for a new peaking facility near Peculiar, members of the Missouri Public Service Commission heard more than two hours of testimony against the project during a public hearing Tuesday night at the Cass County Justice Center in Harrisonville.
Most of those in favor of the plant, which has been under construction for two months, were representing organizations that would benefit from the project. The majority of witnesses that spoke against Aquila’s proposal were residents of the area at 243rd Street and South Harper Road where the peaking facility is being built.
In early January, Circuit Court Judge Joseph Dandurand issued an injunction to Cass County that said Aquila did not have the required certificate of convenience and necessity from the Public Service Commission to construct the plant in the county. On Jan. 28, Aquila filed an application with the PSC for the certificate to provide electric service in the area.
The commission will use information gathered from this hearing to make a decision on the case.
Some of the witnesses speaking against the proposed facility Tuesday said they were not opposed to the construction of the plant, but opposed to the location due to the number of residences in the proximity of the facility. Others questioned the need for another power plant in the area. Also, witnesses expressed concern with emissions from the plant.
During the hearing, Della January of StopAquila.org said she wanted to stress three points.
These included the fact that those affected were not given due process, that there was no objective review of the plant and that the delay is creating hostility in the neighborhood.
January’s remarks were met with applause from the crowd which had filled the courtroom to its capacity.
“This is an emotional issue,” she said. “We are concerned about property values, our health, the health of our children and our quality of life.”
January and others spoke of patrols by Aquila through their neighborhoods and in front of their house, questioning the need to patrol that far from the plant site.
Jeff Davis, chairman of the Missouri Public Service Commission, asked about these patrols and also said he was not aware of any problems with emissions from natural-gas powered plants.
“I have never heard of emissions problems with natural gas plants,” Davis said as he was met with gasps from the filled courtroom.
Later Cindy Mayer, who resides near the Aquila property, described some of the possible health affects from the plant in detail. One of her major concerns was the emission of benzine.
“This is going in a neighborhood of 250 houses,” she said. “We don’t need this in our area. We didn’t want our children and grandchildren raised with this.”
Before Mayer left the podium, Davis asked her for directions to the Aquila site with the possibility that he would drive by the location on Wednesday.
The first person to speak during the hearing was Peculiar Mayor George Lewis, who is also a customer of Aquila.
“I am strongly in favor of this facility,” he said.
He went on to describe the recent increase in population for the Peculiar area and said this facility would help to attract new business.
George Bremer, who sold the land to Aquila, said that Southern Star, which has a natural gas facility adjacent to the property, had always been a good neighbor and assumed that Aquila would not cause any problems.
Gary Kemp, business manager of the Greater Kansas City Building and Trades Council, and Mike Baker, business manager for IBEW, both spoke of the support Aquila has given to their workers.
Next, the Missouri PSC will have oral argument and hearings March 28-29 on Aquila’s application. The hearings are set for 10 a.m. in Room 310 of the Governor Office Building, 200 Madison Street, in Jefferson City.
Copyright © 2004 – The Cass County Democrat Missourian – All rights reserved.
IBEW 702 (West Frankfort, IL) pickets to force contractor to pay area standard wages to employees
Picketers protesting non-union workers
By Mona Sandefur, Staff writer, Benton Evening News
mona@neondsl.com
Members of IBEW Local 702 of West Frankfort are carrying signs in protest of Cole Electric of Herrin and Benton, claiming the electrical company pays substandard wages and benefits to its employees.
Cole Electric General Manager Jason Shadowen said union workers have disrupted construction sites for the past 10 months, targeting his employees.
"They hassle us every day we are on the job," Shadowen said. "The union has two of its members assigned to follow us every day.
"Under Illinois Criminal and Traffic Law, Article 21.1 states, 'Residential picketing is considered unlawful before or about the residence or dwelling of any person, except when the residence or dwelling is used as a place of business,'" said Shadowen.
However, the home is currently under construction and is not considered a dwelling.
If found in violation of the statute, individuals may be charged with a Class B misdemeanor, Shadowen said.
"Our employees are paid well and have health insurance and retirement benefits," Shadowen said.
"We have seven employees and are one of the bigger non-union shops in Southern Illinois. We have the same thing as union workers," Shadowen added.
He said that Cole Electric was started in 1968 by his father-in-law's father-in-law.
Picketers protesting non-union workers
Staff writer
By Mona Sandefur, Staff writer, Benton Evening News
mona@neondsl.com
Members of IBEW Local 702 of West Frankfort are carrying signs in protest of Cole Electric of Herrin and Benton, claiming the electrical company pays substandard wages and benefits to its employees.
Cole Electric General Manager Jason Shadowen said union workers have disrupted construction sites for the past 10 months, targeting his employees.
"They hassle us every day we are on the job," Shadowen said. "The union has two of its members assigned to follow us every day.
"Under Illinois Criminal and Traffic Law, Article 21.1 states, 'Residential picketing is considered unlawful before or about the residence or dwelling of any person, except when the residence or dwelling is used as a place of business,'" said Shadowen.
However, the home is currently under construction and is not considered a dwelling.
If found in violation of the statute, individuals may be charged with a Class B misdemeanor, Shadowen said.
"Our employees are paid well and have health insurance and retirement benefits," Shadowen said.
"We have seven employees and are one of the bigger non-union shops in Southern Illinois. We have the same thing as union workers," Shadowen added.
He said that Cole Electric was started in 1968 by his father-in-law's father-in-law.
Picketers protesting non-union workers
Staff writer
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
IBEW Local 733 (Pascagoula MS) Withdraws as Bargaining Rep For Gautier Police So They can Pick New Representative
From The Mississippi Press
Gautier City Council OKs police union request
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
By GAYLON PARKER The Mississippi Press
GAUTIER -- The City Council approved a request from the Police Department to eliminate IBEW 733 as the department's bargaining agent and allow personnel to negotiate future contracts collectively.
Police officers made the request at the Council's March 1 meeting, but the IBEW requested a chance to settle their differences.
The council granted Jim Couch -- IBEW's new business manager -- the opportunity to talk with the Policemen's Union. But officers will do their own negotiating from now on.
During one meeting, police officers voted 22-5 to withdraw from the IBEW. At a later meeting, officers voted 16-0 to do so, said spokesman Capt. Terry Bulloch.
Couch sent a letter to City Manager Christy Wheeler on March 10 stating IBEW was no longer the bargaining representative for the department because "a majority of the department that voted elected to drop the IBEW."
Reporter Gaylon Parker can be reached at gparker@themississippipress.com or (228) 875-8144.
Gautier City Council OKs police union request
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
By GAYLON PARKER The Mississippi Press
GAUTIER -- The City Council approved a request from the Police Department to eliminate IBEW 733 as the department's bargaining agent and allow personnel to negotiate future contracts collectively.
Police officers made the request at the Council's March 1 meeting, but the IBEW requested a chance to settle their differences.
The council granted Jim Couch -- IBEW's new business manager -- the opportunity to talk with the Policemen's Union. But officers will do their own negotiating from now on.
During one meeting, police officers voted 22-5 to withdraw from the IBEW. At a later meeting, officers voted 16-0 to do so, said spokesman Capt. Terry Bulloch.
Couch sent a letter to City Manager Christy Wheeler on March 10 stating IBEW was no longer the bargaining representative for the department because "a majority of the department that voted elected to drop the IBEW."
Reporter Gaylon Parker can be reached at gparker@themississippipress.com or (228) 875-8144.
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