Chapter ERC 11

Chapter ERC 11

ELECTIONS TO DETERMINE BARGAINING REPRESENTATIVE
FOR MUNICIPAL SECTOR PERSONNEL

ERC 11.01   Scope.

ERC 11.02   Petition for election.

ERC 11.03   Withdrawal of petition.

ERC 11.04   Stipulation for election.

ERC 11.05   Commission pre-hearing action on petition.

ERC 11.06   Motions.

ERC 11.07   Hearings.

ERC 11.08   Direction of election or other dispositional order.

ERC 11.09   Elections.

ERC 11.10   Certification of results of election.

ERC 11.11   Objections to election.

ERC 11.12   Commission action on challenges or objections.

ERC 11.13   Petition for rehearing.

Ch. ERC 11 Note Note: Chapter ERB 11 was renumbered ERC 11 under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 1., Stats., Register, December, 1994, No. 468. Chapter ERC 11 as it existed on June 30, 2006, was repealed and a new chapter ERC 11 was created, Register June 2006 No. 606, effective July 1, 2006.

ERC 11.01 ERC 11.01 Scope. This chapter governs the general procedure for filing and processing of a petition to determine a collective bargaining representative or an appropriate bargaining unit of municipal employees under s. 111.70 (4) (d), Stats., or of supervisory law enforcement or supervisory fire fighter personnel under s. 111.70 (8) (b), Stats.

ERC 11.01 History History: CR 02-037: cr. Register June 2006 No. 606, eff. 7-1-06.

ERC 11.02 ERC 11.02 Petition for election.

ERC 11.02(1) (1) Who may file. A petition to determine a collective bargaining representative or an appropriate collective bargaining unit may be filed by a municipal employee or law enforcement or fire fighting supervisor, or by a labor organization acting on their behalf, or by a municipal employer or anyone authorized to act on its behalf.

ERC 11.02(2) (2) Form, number of copies, and filing. The petition shall be in writing on a form provided by the commission, or a facsimile of the commission’s form, and shall include the signature or a facsimile of the signature of the party or representative filing the petition. A petition is not filed unless it contains the required signature or signature facsimile and unless and until the petition has been actually received by the commission at its Madison office during normal business hours specified in s. ERC 10.06 (1). The petition shall be transmitted to the commission as set forth in s. ERC 10.06 (1). If the petition is filed in paper form, a total of 2 copies of the petition shall be included. If a showing of interest in support of the petition is required by sub. (3), the showing of interest shall be transmitted to the commission in paper form by physical delivery or mail. A petition requiring a showing of interest is not filed until both the petition and the showing of interest have been received by the commission at its Madison office during normal business hours specified in s. ERC 10.06 (1).

ERC 11.02(3) (3) Showing of interest. If the petition is filed by other than the municipal employer, and if any or all of the personnel in the bargaining unit claimed appropriate in the petition are currently represented for purposes of collective bargaining by other than the petitioner, then the petition shall be supported by a showing of interest in writing, containing the printed names and signatures of at least 30% of the personnel in the collective bargaining unit involved, the dates on which the signatures were executed, and a statement that the personnel signing support the petitioner’s request for an election.

ERC 11.02(4) (4) Contents. The petition shall include all of the following:

ERC 11.02(4)(a) (a) The name, address and affiliation, if any, of the petitioner, and the name, address and phone number of its principal representative. Fax numbers and e-mail addresses shall be included, if available.

ERC 11.02(4)(b) (b) The name and address of the municipal employer involved, if the municipal employer is not the petitioner, and the name, address and phone number of its principal representative. Fax numbers and e-mail addresses shall be included, if available.

ERC 11.02(4)(c) (c) A description of the claimed appropriate collective bargaining unit, specifying inclusions and exclusions, as well as the approximate number of personnel in the unit.

ERC 11.02(4)(d) (d) The names and addresses of any known labor organizations who claim to represent any of the personnel in the claimed appropriate collective bargaining unit.

ERC 11.02(4)(e) (e) A brief statement setting forth the nature of the question that has arisen concerning representation or unit determination.

ERC 11.02(4)(f) (f) Any other relevant facts.

ERC 11.02 History History: CR 02-037: cr. Register June 2006 No. 606, eff. 7-1-06.

ERC 11.03 ERC 11.03 Withdrawal of petition. Any petition may be withdrawn at any time prior to the issuance of a final order based on it, by motion granted by the commission. A motion to withdraw shall be granted unless withdrawal would result in an injustice to any party.

ERC 11.03 History History: CR 02-037: cr. Register June 2006 No. 606, eff. 7-1-06.

ERC 11.04 ERC 11.04 Stipulation for election.

ERC 11.04(1) (1) Who may file. Where a municipal employer, and an individual municipal employee or law enforcement or fire fighting supervisor or a labor organization acting on their behalf, and the exclusive representative, if any, of an existing unit agree that a question of representation or unit determination has arisen concerning municipal employees or concerning supervisory law enforcement or fire fighting personnel, those parties may jointly file a stipulation for an election to resolve that question. A stipulation to determine a collective bargaining representative may be filed either to initiate an election proceeding or subsequent to the filing of a petition and prior to a direction of election based on a hearing on the petition.

ERC 11.04(2) (2) Form, number of copies, filing and service. The stipulation shall be in writing on a form provided by the commission, or a facsimile of the commission’s form, and shall include the signature or a facsimile of the signature of the parties or representatives filing the stipulation. A stipulation is not filed unless it contains the required signatures or signature facsimiles and unless and until the stipulation has been actually received by the commission at its Madison office during normal business hours specified in s. ERC 10.06 (1). The stipulation shall be transmitted to the commission as set forth in s. ERC 10.06 (1). If the stipulation is filed in paper form, a total of 2 copies of the stipulation shall be included.

ERC 11.04(3) (3) Contents. The stipulation shall include all of the following:

ERC 11.04(3)(a) (a) The names and addresses of the parties on whose behalf the election is stipulated, and the names, addresses and phone numbers of the parties’ principal representatives. Fax numbers and e-mail addresses shall be included, if available.

ERC 11.04(3)(b) (b) An agreement that a hearing is waived and requesting the commission to conduct an election.

ERC 11.04(3)(c) (c) A description of the collective bargaining unit agreed to be appropriate by the parties.

ERC 11.04(3)(d) (d) A complete list of personnel agreed upon by the parties as being included in the collective bargaining unit and eligible to vote.

ERC 11.04(3)(e) (e) Suggested days of the week, time and place for the conduct of the election.

ERC 11.04(4) (4) Procedure for resolving election-related disputes. Questions arising in connection with the conduct of, or results of, the election shall be processed in accordance with the procedures following an election directed as a result of a hearing under s. ERC 11.07.

ERC 11.04 History History: CR 02-037: cr. Register June 2006 No. 606, eff. 7-1-06.

ERC 11.05 ERC 11.05 Commission pre-hearing action on petition.

ERC 11.05(1) (1) Service of petition. Upon receipt of a petition, the commission shall serve a copy of the petition on all interested parties identified in the petition.

ERC 11.05(2) (2) Determination of showing of interest. In cases in which a showing of interest is required under s. ERC 11.02 (3), the commission shall determine the sufficiency of the showing of interest.

ERC 11.05(2)(a) (a) Furnishing of personnel list by municipal employer. The municipal employer involved shall, within a period of time established by the commission, furnish in writing to the commission a list containing the names of the personnel, in alphabetical order, employed in the collective bargaining unit involved. The period of time for furnishing a list of personnel may be extended by the commission for good cause shown.

ERC 11.05(2)(b) (b) Determination. The commission shall determine the sufficiency of the showing of interest upon the receipt from the employer of the names of the personnel in the bargaining unit. No party, other than the party submitting the showing of interest, may receive a copy of, or examine, the showing of interest. The commission shall inform all parties as to its determination regarding the sufficiency of the showing of interest. The commission shall not reveal the number or identity of persons supporting a showing of interest.

ERC 11.05(3) (3) Conciliation. If the commission determines that further proceedings are warranted, the commission may cause an effort to reach informal settlement of all or part of an election petition to be undertaken by a commission designee. A conciliator so designated shall attempt through mediation to assist the parties in reaching an informal agreement resolving some or all of the issues that might otherwise require a hearing. The pendency of conciliation shall not preclude the scheduling or conduct of a hearing if scheduling is specifically requested by any party prior to the conclusion of conciliation. If the conciliator concludes that further conciliation efforts are unlikely to produce a settlement, the processing of the case shall proceed, including the scheduling of a hearing, if appropriate.

ERC 11.05(4) (4) Notice of hearing.

ERC 11.05(4)(a) (a) When issued. Following the filing of a petition and following conciliation, if further proceedings are warranted, the commission or assigned examiner shall schedule a date and time for the hearing and serve all parties and their representatives with a notice of hearing.

ERC 11.05(4)(b) (b) Contents. The notice of hearing shall include all of the following:

ERC 11.05(4)(b)1. 1. A statement of the time, place, and nature of the hearing, including a statement that the election proceeding is a class 1 proceeding as defined in s. 227.01 (3) (a) to (c), Stats. Unless the parties have agreed otherwise or unless the commission or examiner finds that an emergency requires otherwise, the hearing shall be held not less than 10 days after the notice of hearing is served. The hearing may be rescheduled in the manner prescribed in s. ERC 18.06 (2) (d).

ERC 11.05(4)(b)2. 2. A statement of the legal authority and jurisdiction under which the hearing is to be held.

ERC 11.05(4)(b)3. 3. A statement that the purpose of the hearing is to determine whether the unit described in the petition is an appropriate unit, and, if so, to determine the issues, if any, with respect to whether there exists a question of representation or unit determination among the eligible personnel in that unit.

ERC 11.05(4)(b)4. 4. A statement that all parties are required to have with them for examination at the hearing any contract or correspondence between the municipal employer and any labor organization or person representing any of the personnel of the municipal employer relating to the representation of the municipal employer’s personnel.

ERC 11.05(4)(b)5. 5. A statement that the municipal employer is required to have for examination at the hearing an organizational chart, if any, setting forth its entire organizational structure and a list setting forth the names of all the personnel, and their classifications or positions in the employ of the municipal employer.

ERC 11.05 History History: CR 02-037: cr. Register June 2006 No. 606, eff. 7-1-06.

ERC 11.06 ERC 11.06 Motions. Practice and procedure regarding motions in election proceedings shall be as set forth in s. ERC 18.06.

ERC 11.06 History History: CR 02-037: cr. Register June 2006 No. 606, eff. 7-1-06; CR 10-019: am. Register June 2010 No. 654, eff. 7-1-10.

ERC 11.07 ERC 11.07 Hearings. Practice and procedure regarding hearings in election proceedings shall be as set forth in s. ERC 18.08.

ERC 11.07 History History: CR 02-037: cr. Register June 2006 No. 606, eff. 7-1-06; CR 10-019: am. Register June 2010 No. 654, eff. 7-1-10.

ERC 11.08 ERC 11.08 Direction of election or other dispositional order. As soon as possible after submission of the case, the commission shall, in writing, either direct an election, dismiss the petition, or make other orders regarding the disposition of the petition or stipulation. In cases where the commission is directing an election, the direction shall establish the date on or before which an employee shall have been employed to be eligible to vote. In cases where the commission is resolving issues of fact or law, the commission’s order shall be accompanied by its findings of fact and conclusions of law, and may be made available to the public through the commission website and in other commission publications.

ERC 11.08 History History: CR 02-037: cr. Register June 2006 No. 606, eff. 7-1-06.

ERC 11.09 ERC 11.09 Elections.

ERC 11.09(1) (1) Nature of balloting; by whom conducted; extension of time to conduct. All elections shall be conducted by secret ballot and under the supervision of the commission. The commission shall determine on a case by case basis whether balloting shall be conducted on-site or by mail. The time within which the commission has directed an election to be conducted may be extended by the commission.

ERC 11.09(2) (2) Notice of election. The municipal employer shall post notices to personnel concerning the election and the commission’s policy on absentee ballots, at times, locations and in a form specified by the commission.

ERC 11.09(3) (3) Observers. Any party may be represented by observers, selected in accordance with limitations, if any, established by the commission.

ERC 11.09(4) (4) Challenge of voters. Any observer or commission agent conducting the election may challenge, for good cause, the eligibility of any person to vote in the election. The challenged ballots shall be impounded without being opened or counted.

ERC 11.09(5) (5) Count and tally of ballots. Upon the conclusion of the election, the ballots shall be counted in the presence of the parties or their observers, and the commission agent conducting the election shall furnish a tally of ballots to the parties.

ERC 11.09(6) (6) Inconclusive elections. When more than one proposed representative appears on the ballot and the results are inconclusive, the commission, on request of any party, may conduct a run-off election as provided in s. 111.70 (4) (d) 4., Stats. A request for a runoff election shall be made within 30 days from the date of the certification of the results of the election.

ERC 11.09 History History: CR 02-037: cr. Register June 2006 No. 606, eff. 7-1-06.

ERC 11.10 ERC 11.10 Certification of results of election. If challenged ballots are insufficient in number to affect the results, and no run-off election is needed, and no timely objections are filed under s. ERC 11.11, the commission shall issue to the parties a certification of the results of the election.

ERC 11.10 History History: CR 02-037: cr. Register June 2006 No. 606, eff. 7-1-06.

ERC 11.11 ERC 11.11 Objections to election.

ERC 11.11(1) (1) Filing; form; copies. Within 8 days after receiving the tally of ballots, any party may file with the commission objections to the conduct of the election or conduct affecting the results of the election. Objections shall be in writing and shall include the signature or a facsimile of the signature of the party or representative filing the objections. The objections shall contain a brief statement of facts upon which the objections are based. A statement of objections is not filed unless it contains the required signature or signature facsimile and unless and until it has been actually received by the commission at its Madison office during normal business hours specified in s. ERC 10.06 (1). The objections shall be transmitted to the commission as set forth in s. ERC 10.06 (1). If the objections are filed in paper form, a total of 2 copies of the objections shall be included.

ERC 11.11(2) (2) Service on other parties. The party filing objections shall, at the same time, serve each of the other parties with a copy as set forth in s. ERC 10.07.

ERC 11.11 History History: CR 02-037: cr. Register June 2006 No. 606, eff. 7-1-06.

ERC 11.12 ERC 11.12 Commission action on challenges or objections.

ERC 11.12(1) (1) Hearing. If ballot challenges potentially affecting the election outcome or objections raise a substantial question which cannot be resolved without a hearing, the commission may issue and serve a notice of hearing concerning the issues to be resolved. Practice and procedure for hearings on challenges or objections shall be as set forth in ss. ERC 18.06 to 18.08.

ERC 11.12(2) (2) After hearing. As soon as possible after submission of the case, the commission shall, in writing, either sustain or overrule each challenge or objection.

ERC 11.12(2)(a) (a) If the commission directs that challenged ballots be opened and counted, the ballots shall be opened and counted, and the commission shall issue a revised tally and a certification of election results.

ERC 11.12(2)(b) (b) If the commission sustains one or more objections, it may direct a new election to be held at a time and under conditions specified by the commission.

ERC 11.12(2)(c) (c) If the commission overrules all objections, it shall promptly issue a certification of the election results.

ERC 11.12 History History: CR 02-037: cr. Register June 2006 No. 606, eff. 7-1-06; CR 10-019: am. (1) Register June 2010 No. 654, eff. 7-1-10.

ERC 11.13 ERC 11.13 Petition for rehearing. Any person aggrieved by a final order of the commission may, within 20 days after service of the order, file a written petition for rehearing which shall specify in detail the grounds for the relief sought and supporting authorities. Practice and procedure for filing and processing a petition for rehearing shall be as set forth in s. ERC 18.11.

ERC 11.13 History History: CR 02-037: cr. Register June 2006 No. 606, eff. 7-1-06; CR 10-019: am. Register June 2010 No. 654, eff. 7-1-10.