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8A Page 3 Interested in Serving on the league Board of Directors? The League of California Cities welcomes nominations from elected officials interested in serving in five at-large positions (two-year term) or second vice president (one-year term). All nominees for second vice president must have previously served on the board of directors. If you are interested in submitting your name (or another elected official's name) for nomination to the league board of directors, please provide the information requested on the Nominating Form, along with a bio and a letter requesting consideration, to the League's Sacramento headquarters. Materials are due on or before the end of business on Friday, May 16, 2008. Nomination materials can be found on the League's Web site at www.cacities.orqlboard or obtained by contacting Mimi Sharpe at (916) 658-8232 or e-mail sharpemCiilcacitles.org. Nomination applications should be sent to: Mimi Sharpe League of California Cities 1400 K Street Sacramento, CA 95814 Or by fax: (916) 658-8240 attn: Mimi Sharpe Or bye-mail: sharpemCiilcacities.orq Court Holds PubUc Employees Relations Board Has ExcJusive Jurisdiction Over Labor Disputes In the June 8, 2007 issue, Priority Focus reported on a trio of cases regarding the jurisdiction of the Public Employee Relations Board (PERB) over labor disputes between pubtic agencies and their employees, and in particular, a decision issued in a case involving the City and County of San Francisco. The 6th District Court of Appeal recently issued a decision in one of these cases that PERB has exclusive initial jurisdiction over labor disputes involving employees with job duties essential to preserving the public health and safety. The labor dispute at issue involved the City of San Jose and the Operating Engineers union. The union gave San Jose 72 hours notice of its intent to picket various public facififies, incruding the city's wastewater treatment plant. The city sought an emergency injunction from the Superior Court to prevent the union from picketing the plant, and to prevent certain employees, such as wastewater treatment plant operators, from going on strike because these positions are essential to preserving the public health and safety. . The Superior Court declined to hear the matter, concluding that under state law, PERB had , exclusive initial jurisdiction over the labor dispute. San Jose appealed this determination to the Court of Appeal, which issued a decision upholding the Superior Court's determination. The Court of Appeal examined the state law creating PERB and concluded that the Legislature intended for PERB to have exclusive initial jurisdiction over public sector tabor disputes, even where the employees involved have job duties essential to preserving the public health and safety. The Court concluded that PERB was uniquely suited to adjudicate these labor disputes, and that it had the capability to quickly consider such disputes where the public health and safety may be implicated. Lastly, the Court concluded that PERB had the authority to grant binding injunctive reUef in appropriate circumstances. This decision follows the previous decision from the 1st District Court of Appeal pertaining to the City and County of San Francisco. (This decision was reported in the June 8, 2007 Priority 3