Chapter ERC 15

ERC 15.07(4)(b) (b) Contents. The notice of hearing shall include all of the following:

ERC 15.07(4)(b)1. 1. A statement of the time, place, and nature of the hearing, including a statement that the referendum 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 unusual circumstances require 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 15.07(4)(b)2. 2. A statement of the legal authority and jurisdiction under which the hearing is to be held.

ERC 15.07(4)(b)3. 3. A statement that the purpose of the hearing is to determine the issues, if any, with respect to whether and how the commission should conduct the referendum requested in the petition.

ERC 15.07(4)(b)4. 4. A statement that the municipal employer is required to have for examination at the hearing a list setting forth the names of all the employees in the bargaining unit and their classifications or positions in the employ of the municipal employer.

ERC 15.07 History History: CR 02-037: cr. Register June 2006 No. 606, eff. 7-1-06.

ERC 15.08 ERC 15.08 Motions. Practice and procedure regarding motions in referendum proceedings shall be as set forth in s. ERC 18.06.

ERC 15.08 History History: CR 02-037: cr. Register June 2006 No. 606, eff. 7-1-06.

ERC 15.09 ERC 15.09 Hearings. Hearings shall be open to the public and limited to the litigation of and oral argument on issues of fact or law regarding whether there exists a question for resolution by referendum among the eligible employees in the unit involved. The commission or examiner conducting the hearing shall inquire fully into all matters in issue, to obtain a full and complete record upon which the duties of the commission under s. 111.70 (2), Stats., may be properly performed. Practice and procedure for hearings in referendum proceedings shall otherwise be as set forth in s. ERC 18.08.

ERC 15.09 History History: CR 02-037: cr. Register June 2006 No. 606, eff. 7-1-06.

ERC 15.10 ERC 15.10 Direction of referendum or other dispositional order. As soon as possible after submission of the case, the commission shall, in writing, either direct a referendum, dismiss the petition, or make other orders regarding the disposition of the petition or stipulation. In cases where the commission is directing a referendum, 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 15.10 History History: CR 02-037: cr. Register June 2006 No. 606, eff. 7-1-06.

ERC 15.11 ERC 15.11 Referendum.

ERC 15.11(1) (1) Nature of balloting; by whom conducted; extension of time to conduct. All referenda 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 a referendum to be conducted may be extended by the commission.

ERC 15.11(2) (2) Notice of referendum. The municipal employer shall post notices to employees concerning the referendum and the commission’s policy on absentee ballots, at times, locations and in a form specified by the commission.

ERC 15.11(3) (3) Observers. Any party may be represented by observers, selected in accordance with limitations, if any, established by the commission.

ERC 15.11(4) (4) Challenge of voters. Any observer or commission agent conducting the referendum may challenge, for good cause, the eligibility of any person to vote in the referendum. The challenged ballots shall be impounded without being opened or counted.

ERC 15.11(5) (5) Count and tally of ballots. At the conclusion of the referendum, the ballots shall be counted in the presence of the parties or their observers, and the commission agent conducting the referendum shall furnish a tally of ballots to the parties.

ERC 15.11 History History: CR 02-037: cr. Register June 2006 No. 606, eff. 7-1-06.

ERC 15.12 ERC 15.12 Certification of results of referendum.

ERC 15.12(1) (1) When issued. If challenged ballots are insufficient in number to affect the results and no timely objections are filed under s. ERC 15.13, the commission shall issue to the parties a certification of the results of the referendum.

ERC 15.12(2) (2) Effect of certification.

ERC 15.12(2)(a) (a) Opposing fair-share. Where the certification of the results of a referendum indicates that the required number of employees has not authorized the implementation of, or the continuation of, the fair-share agreement, the fair-share agreement shall not be implemented, or shall be immediately terminated.

ERC 15.12(2)(b) (b) Favoring fair-share. Where the certification of the results of a referendum indicates that the required number of employees has authorized the implementation of, or the continuation of, the fair-share agreement, the fair-share agreement shall become effective, or continue in effect.

ERC 15.12 History History: CR 02-037: cr. Register June 2006 No. 606, eff. 7-1-06.

ERC 15.13 ERC 15.13 Objections to referendum.

ERC 15.13(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 referendum or conduct affecting the results of the referendum. 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 15.13(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 15.13 History History: CR 02-037: cr. Register June 2006 No. 606, eff. 7-1-06.

ERC 15.14 ERC 15.14 Commission action on challenges or objections.

ERC 15.14(1) (1) Hearing. If ballot challenges potentially affecting the referendum 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 15.14(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 15.14(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 referendum results.

ERC 15.14(2)(b) (b) If the commission sustains one or more objections, it may direct a new referendum to be held at a time and under conditions specified by the commission.

ERC 15.14(2)(c) (c) If the commission overrules all objections, it shall promptly issue a certification of the referendum results.

ERC 15.14 History History: CR 02-037: cr. Register June 2006 No. 606, eff. 7-1-06.

ERC 15.15 ERC 15.15 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 regarding the filing and processing of a petition for rehearing in a referendum proceeding shall be as set forth in s. ERC 18.11.

ERC 15.15 History History: CR 02-037: cr. Register June 2006 No. 606, eff. 7-1-06.