Findings Of Fact Based upon the testimony and evidence received at the hearing, the following facts are found: With respect to an appropriate bargaining unit: Employees of the Pinellas County School system are classified into three categories for pay purposes. These classifications are for non-instructional or support persons, administrative persons, and instructional persons. The instructional classification or teacher salary schedule is reflected in a document entitled Pinellas County School Board Instructional Lists by Job Code, which was received into evidence as Exhibit No. 10 and contains approximately 5,200 persons. Members of the administrative and supervisory staff do not appear on this list, nor do supporting services personnel. Principals, deans, registrars and substitute teachers do not appear on this list. Curriculum specialists and coordinators, social workers, psychologists, learning disability specialists and attendance officers do appear on this list. Exhibit No. 16 depicts the organization of administration of the Pinellas County School system as it presently exists. Principals would appear on this organizational chart in the place marked "x" on Exhibit No. 16 in the box labeled local schools. All personnel above that level effectively recommend the hiring and firing of employees, direct other Employees, are paid on the administrative salary schedule, and participate in the preparation of budgets, the adjustment of grievances and in the process of collective bargaining. A stipulation that all persons depicted on this chart above the level of principals (whom are not depicted, but would appear at the local school levels) be excluded from the bargaining unit could not be reached. The following persons or classifications effectively participate in the preparation of the budget, have the ability to hire and fire or effectively recommend hiring and firing and are paid on the administrative salary schedule: the Superintendent, the associate Superintendent and assistant Superintendents. The School Board, CTA & AFT all stipulated that these three positions should be excluded from the bargaining unit. Attendance officers are included on the instructional, teacher's salary list, but they do not hold teaching certificates. They report to the administrative assistant to the associate superintendent and work out of the central administrative offices. It was stipulated by all the parties that attendance officers would not be appropriate in a bargaining unit. Principals and deans effectively recommend the hiring and firing of other employees, participate in the preparation of the budget and in the adjustment of employee grievances and are paid on the administrative salary schedule. It was stipulated that principals and deans should be excluded. The duties and functions of assistant principals are essentially the same as those of principal in the principal's absence. They are certificated, but generally not do classroom teaching. They participate in the formulation of the school budget and in the disposition of employee grievances. They effectively recommend the hiring, firing or disciplinary actions of employees, evaluate employees and are paid according to the administrative salary level. Not every school has an assistant principal. The elementary schools generally do not have one, unless they are on double session. Assistant principals are approved by the School Board, as is anyone who is on a supplement. No stipulation was reached as to assistant principals. Registrars participate in budgeting, are paid on the administrative salary schedule and come in contact with confidential material from time to time. They do have an office in the school, have daily contacts with students, receive essentially the same fringe benefits as classroom teachers. They do not have the authority to direct other teachers or employees in the performance of duties. By reason of their confidential status, it was stipulated by all the parties that registrars be excluded from the unit. The Pinellas County school system hires persons known as directors, associate directors and assistant directors. In a vocational program or center, the principal is known as the director and the assistant principal is also called an assistant director. Also there is a director of the budget and other types of directors. There are now approximately 50 directors, 2 or 3 assistant directors and no associate directors. They are paid on the administrative pay scale, have supervisory functions, assist in the preparation of the budget and in the collective bargaining process, deal with confidential materials, supervise employees and recommend hiring, firing or discipline and adjust employee grievances. They are generally at the county level and not the school level. It was stipulated that directors should be excluded from the bargaining unit, but no stipulation was reached with respect to assistant and associate directors. Supervisors are generally curriculum persons who supervise the formulation of the curriculum and supervise the teacher in working with the curriculum. They are paid pursuant to the administrative salary schedule, work out of the central office, evaluate other employees and effectively recommend hiring, firing or discipline, prepare and handle confidential materials and participate in both budgetary policies and the processes leading to collective bargaining. It was stipulated by all parties that supervisors should be excluded. Activity directors work in the schools, but do not teach classes. They are more of a business management type of person. They schedule activities and events, handle ticket or club monies, and hire teachers as ticket sellers at events. While they have occasion to work in the preparation of the budget for their particular school, they do not evaluate other employees, do not assist in the adjustment of Employee grievances, do not effectively recommend the hiring, firing or discipline of other employees and do not handle or prepare confidential records. They are on the instructional salary schedule. While they are not required to hold a teaching certificate, almost all do, and they are on ten-month contracts. No stipulation was reached as to the inclusion or exclusion of activities directors. Curriculum assistants, curriculum coordinators psychologists learning disabilities specialists and social workers are all regular, full-time instructional personnel and are listed on the instructional salary schedule, are not paid for vacations and do not accrue vacation time, have no power or control over budgeting and do not hire, fire or promote. In the same manner as classroom teachers, they earn sick leave, receive group health insurance, have the same retirement benefits and pay increases, have pupil contact and are certified employees. All are located within the schools, with the exception of psychologists and social workers, who are not assigned to a specific school, but work out of the county office. There is a classification known as specialist. There are approximately twelve persons in this classification such as a computer specialists and they are paid pursuant to the administrative salary schedule. If they perform supervisory and/or managerial functions, it would generally be over service personnel rather than instructional personnel. However, there is a group of specialists who fall within a category of a federal program which is in contact with students. No stipulation was reached as to this classification. In addition to curriculum coordinators, there is a classification known as coordinators. Some are purely classroom teachers such as a diversified education coordinator. Coordinators work predominantly in the schools with children and are paid on the instructional salary schedule. There are approximately 75 coordinators, and they receive the same paid holidays, the same group health insurance, the same retirement benefits and earn sick leave the same as classroom teachers. These people are required to hold a teaching certificate, although there may be one or two who do not. Most are in the vocational field. They do not supervise other employees nor do they have the ability to effectively recommend hiring or firing of other personnel. They have no power to establish a budget. No stipulation was reached on this position, or any of the remaining positions which follow. 1/ There is also a vocational teacher coordinator. The person occupying this classification teaches students in class and then coordinates their work outside of class and sees to it that students obtain jobs. They are generally assigned to a school and report directly to the principal of that school. They have no budgetary functions and they do not evaluate other teachers. They are usually certified. Also, there is a classification known as health coordinator. Most are certified and they work primarily with students. They coordinate the various phases of the health programs in the school to which they are assigned. They are on the instructional pay scale, have no power to make budgetary determinations and do not supervise instructional personnel. There are also secondary education coordinators who deal with the vocational aspects of a school. They work with students, receive regular retirement benefits and do not evaluate other teachers. There is one person involved in a classification known as RESRVOL. This is a federal program pertaining to the recruiting of adult volunteers to help senior citizens. While she is on the instructional payroll, she does not teach and she is not certificated. On the instructional payroll, there is a classification known as self- renewal. This too is a federal program comprising about four persons. While certification is not required, all who occupy the position are certified. Their function is to deal with children who have lost confidence in themselves and attempt to restore self-confidence. They receive the same emoluments as a classroom teacher and are not involved in the evaluative process of other teachers. They are not assigned to any particular school, but work out of a county office. This description would also fit a Position known as educational self-renewal. Enhanced learning personnel supplement the classroom teachers with respect to teaching the gifted child. They do not evaluate other teachers nor do they have any role in the budgetary Process. Some are permanently assigned to a school and others are on a county-wide basis. Their emoluments with respect to retirement, sick leave and vacation are the sane as classroom teachers. A curriculum assistant helping a kindergarten teacher exists on the instructional salary list. Only one person is involved. This person does evaluate teachers, has no classroom duties and is involved in the budgetary process. She reports to the supervisor of kindergarten and receives the same emoluments as classroom teachers with respect to retirement, sick leave and pay and vacations. Other helping teachers do exist and the positions are supervisory, supportive type positions. They evaluate teachers and report to their supervisors. A junior high school work experience teacher teaches children and finds them jobs outside of school. They do not coordinate teachers and they receive the same emoluments as a classroom teacher with respect to retirement, sick leave and vacation. An adult home economics teacher teaches post high school students in the evenings. They do not evaluate other teachers and report to their supervisor in the evening program. Substitute teachers are hired and paid on a daily basis. They are not required to be certified. However, there is a distinction between a short-term and a long-term substitute teacher. The long-term substitute takes a regular teacher's place over a long period of time. After the first ten days, the long term substitute is allowed to go on a teacher's contract (whatever contract they would be eligible for were they a regular teacher) for the period of time they are going to be substituting, if it is determined that the period of substitution will be extended. It was not determined whether long-term substitutes go on the same instructional list as Exhibit No. 10, but no long- term substitutes are now on said list due to the recent opening of school. They do not participate in the same retirement or receive the same insurance that a classroom teacher does. While several other positions were discussed, there were no other employees who were in the list of instructional personnel (excluding personnel heretofore discussed) who have the ability to effectively recommend the hiring or firing of other employees, who participate in the adjustment of Employee grievances or evaluate other employees, or who work in the preparation of the budget. All remaining positions receive their pay on the same day, earn sick leave in the same fashion, participate in the same group insurance and retirement benefits as regular classroom teachers and are required by the School Board to be certified. With respect to requests for recognition and bargaining history: Pursuant to local legislation enacted in 1971 granting to instructional personnel employed by the School Board the right to bargain collectively, the CTA has engaged in collective bargaining with the School Board. The first contract was ratified in September of 1971. The last contract expired on August 1, 1975. The 5,018 employees covered by this latter contract included counselors, librarians, classroom teachers, media specialists, special education teachers, vocational teachers, curriculum coordinators, psychologists, social workers and other employees of the public schools having whole or in part classroom teaching duties. This is essentially the same group listed in Exhibit 10. The CTA made a formal request for voluntary recognition by the School Board on April 30, 1975. Certain events (unfair labor practice charges and the filing of RC petitions) then ensued, which events are well known and are on file with the Public Employees Relations Commission. On or about April 24, 1975, the AFT requested, by letter, the School Board to officially recognize the AFT for the rights to bargain collectively with the School Board for the teachers. As noted above in the Introduction, the parties agreed that the School Board is a public employer; that both petitioners are employee organizations, and that there is no contractual bar to the holding of an election. In accordance with F.S. s. 447.307(3)(a) and F.A.C. Rule 8H-3.23, no recommendations are submitted. DONE and ENTERED this 22nd day of October, 1975, in Tallahassee, Florida. DIANE D. TREMOR, Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings Room 530, Carlton Building Tallahassee, Florida 32304 (904) 488-9675
The Issue This matter was referred by the Public Employees Relations Commission to the Division of Administrative Hearings for hearing to determine: Whether the Respondent, Seminole County, is a Public Employer within the meaning of Chapter 447, Florida Statutes. Whether the Petitioner, Union, is an employee organization within the meaning of Chapter 447, Florida Statutes. Whether there has been a sufficient showing of interest has required for the filing of a representation election petition under Chapter 447, Florida Statutes. Whether the employer organization is a properly registered organization with the Public Employees Relations Commission. What is the appropriate unit of public employees within the Public Employer? PRE-HEARING MATTERS Prior to the commencement of the hearing, Respondent filed the following motions with the Hearing Officer who made the indicated disposition of the motion: Motion for Discovery; denied on the basis of prior PERC rulings. Motion to Transfer Jurisdiction to Local PERC; denied because the local ordinance had not been approved by the Public Employees Relations Commission. Motion for Oral Argument on Motion to Transfer Jurisdiction; denied, see Petitioner's Motion to Amend, below. Motion to Dismiss Based on Employer Not Having Denied Recognition; denied. Motion to Dismiss or Limit Hearing on the Basis that Local PERC Ordinate Controls; denied. Motion to Dismiss on the Basis of Inappropriateness of Units Sought; denied. Motion to Quash Hearing on Basis that Acting Chairman Lacked Authority to Notice Hearing; denied. Motion to Dismiss on Basis of Lack of Due Process and Lack of Authority; denied. The Petitioner moved orally in response to the suggestion that paragraph 11 of the Petition indicated concurrence in local PERC authority to amend paragraph 11 to "no". Motion was granted by the Hearing Officer. After having presented its motions the Respondent thereafter filed its Answer, asserting therein certain affirmative defenses. Succinctly stated the position of the Respondent was that the county had defined the appropriate units within the Public Employer by local ordinances as professional, supervisory and blue collar, and that the unit sought by the Petitioner did not conform to the units the County had defined by ordinance. The Petitioner sought all employees of the Road and Arthopod Divisions of Seminole County excluding officers, clericals, supervisory and guard employees.
Findings Of Fact The Hearing Officer directed the Employer to go forward and present its evidence in support of its definition of the units. The Employer sought to call Pat Hill and Jack McLean, both previously subpoenaed by the Employer. Neither of the individuals were present in the hearing room. The Hearing Officer, noting that the time had not expired to oppose the subpoenas but that no opposition had been filed, allowed the Employer to proffer the testimony these witnesses would have given if present. The Hearing Officer notes that subsequently these subpoenas were quashed. Therefore, the proffered testimony will not be considered by the Hearing Officer. The Hearing Officer would, in light of the fact that the Commission's file was not present at the hearing, direct the Commission's attention to the proffer as it relates to the Commission's file for resolution of any matters appropriately raised. The Employer then called Carl Crosslin who was present but whose subpoena had been timely opposed by his Counsel. The subpoena having been issued by the Acting Chairman, the Hearing Officer deferred to the Acting Chairman for his ruling on the subpoena in question. The Hearing Officer allowed the Employer to proffer the testimony which would have been presented by Carl Crosslin and Commissioner Paul Parker. Thereafter, the Employer moved for a continuance which motion was denied by the Hearing Officer. The Employer then made a demand for presentation of the authorization cards, which were not present at the hearing. The Employer then sought to introduce the affidavit of Chris Haughee which was rejected by the Hearing Officer. The Employer then filed its motion for Determination of Managerial and Confidential Employees. This motion is preserved for consideration by the Commission. It is appropriate to note at this point that upon the conclusion of the taking of testimony the Petitioner amended its petition to seek a unit composed of non-exempt employees of the Road Construction and Maintenance Division, the Heavy Equipment and Vehicle Maintenance Division, and Arthopod Division of the Public Works Department of the County of Seminole, or in the alternative, all non-exempt employees of the Public Works Division and as a final alternative, a unit of all blue collar workers of the Public Employer who are in construction, maintenance and trades, but excludes clerical, secretarial and similar positions. The parties also stipulated to the managerial status of division directors within the Administrative Services Department and their secretaries. However, in light of the fact that not all division directors within the employ of the Public Employer were not included within the stipulation, and further, because the Employer has filed a motion for Determination of Managerial and Confidential Status and because the stipulation between the parties would not be binding upon others who might have an interest, the facts relating to the duties and functions of division directors and similar positions are set forth so that the Public Employees Relations Commission may resolve the status of these employees as it relates to the motion filed by the Public Employer. The general organization of the Public Employer is indicated on Exhibit 6. The Board of County Commissioners, as the elected representatives of the citizens of Seminole County, head the Public Employer. An executive assistant manages the office and staff of the Board of County Commissioners and functions as general coordinator for the other department heads of the county government. Each of the several departments of government is headed by a department head. Each department head is directly responsible for the management of his department to the Board of County Commissioners. Although the executive assistant, as a coordinator, would have some coordinating function with the department heads, the department heads are the first level of management below the Board of County Commissioners. The department heads prepare the budgets for their department, manage and direct their personal staffs and their division heads, make policy within their department, and participate in the resolution of grievances. They have the authority to hire and fire all employees making less than $10,000 per year and they participate in evaluations of all employees. Department heads have the ability to effectively recommend the employment and discharge of division heads and employees making more than $10,000 per year. All of the department heads meet on Mondays to discuss their joint duties and coordinate their activities. The division heads or directors have the authority to effectively recommend hiring and firing of personnel. The division heads assign work and determine the manner in which work shall be done by their subordinates. The division heads have the authority to discipline their personnel or effectively recommend disciplinary measures dependent upon the action taken. Division directors prepare and submit budget data to the department heads upon which the departmental budget is based. The division heads constitute the second level of supervision or management in county employment. Among their other functions they make determinations regarding the manner in which programs will be accomplished and participate in the resolution of grievances. In all but the smallest divisions and in all of the departments, the department heads and division directors have secretaries assigned to them to handle their personal correspondence, In the larger divisions and in the majority of the departments there are additional clerical personnel assigned to handle general typing and filing and to maintain fiscal records. The parties with regard to the RC petition in question have stipulated that the secretaries to the department heads and division directors should be excluded as confidential. There are divisions within the county government whose function is primarily administrative and whose employees perform administrative duties. These divisions or activities would include the Personnel Division, Microfilm Division, Division of Manpower Planning, Purchasing Division, Office of Management and Evaluation, Veterans' Service Officer, Division of Social Services and Seminole County Industrial Development Authority. In the aforelisted activities, all of the personnel are involved in totally administrative functions. In addition to these totally administrative divisions or activities, there are additional divisions in which there are mixed administrative and other functions. The administrative employees of these divisions would include Switchboard Operators and the Mail Clerk in Support Services Division; the Biologists in Operations Division of the Department of Environmental Services; the Operator Inspector, Pollution Control Technician, Account Clerk in the Division of Environmental Control of the Department of Environmental Services; Cashiers within the Division of Motor Vehicles of the Department of Public Safety; the Deputy Civil Defense Director in the Division of Civil Defense, Department of Public Safety; Permit Clerks and a Secretary II of the Building Division of the Department of County Development; two Secretaries and a Site Planner within the Office of the Land Development Administrator, Division of Land Development, Department of County Development; a Secretary, two Draftsmen, two Planners, Drafting Technician II, Planner (current plans), Senior Planner, Principal Planner and County Planner within the Planning Division of the Department of County Development. The following personnel hold positions within the county government below that of division director and perform functions which are not clerical or administrative in nature. These remaining personnel will be discussed by division. Within the Building Maintenance Division there is a Supervisor of Custodial Services, Supervisor of Courthouse Custodians, and Building Custodian Supervisor, all of whom report to the Director of Building Maintenance. The Supervisor of Courthouse Custodians directly supervises the fifteen custodians assigned to the Seminole County Courthouse. The Supervisor of Custodial Services supervises the custodians assigned to the maintenance of the other county buildings. The Building Custodian Supervisor supervises the electrical, carpentry, plumbing and air conditioning foremen under whose direction maintenance workers perform such maintenance as is required upon the various county buildings. These three supervisors have the authority to effectively recommend hiring, firing and disciplinary action and assign specific work to those employees under their direction. These supervisors constitute the first level of direct supervision over the county employees for although there are trades foremen designated they function as lead workers. Within the Support Services Division there are three Night Watchmen who are responsible for security of the County Courthouse and one Senior Night Watchman who assigns the work shifts of the Watchman. The testimony would indicate that the Senior Night Watchman functions in the role of a lead worker. It should be noted that this Division does not have a division director but is under the control of the acting executive assistant. Within the Division of Human Services is the Office of Animal Control which is headed by the Animal Control Officer. The Animal Control Officer is responsible for the operation of the County Pound and the supervision of the work of the four Animal Control Officers. He is assisted in his functions by the Animal Control Supervisor who is specifically charged with maintenance of the County Pound. The Animal Control Officer has authority to recommend hiring, firing and discipline of these employees who he evaluates. Within the Operations Division of the Department of Environmental Services there is a Chief Operator and three Operator Trainees who are responsible for the operation and maintenance of the county's water and sewage treatment facilities. The Operator Trainees are under the direct supervision of the Chief Operator whose responsibility is to train then to operate the system and to assign their duties. The Operator Trainees perform maintenance, read meters, and perform such other duties as the Chief Operator assigns necessary to the operation of these facilities. Within the Office of the Director of Public Safety and under the Director's control is Fire Prevention and Arson Investigator, a Training Officer, and two Mechanics. The Investigator and the Training Officer are trained firefighters. The two Mechanics are physically located at Station 14 and are responsible for the maintenance of the County Fire Department's Vehicles. The Fire Department is divided into three shifts or platoons. Each shift or platoon being supervised by a Sector Fire Coordinator. The Sector Fire Coordinator prepares the budget for his shift, establishes field operating procedures, and directs fire fighting, and has access to the personnel files of the employees. Also within the Department of Public Safety is the Communications Division which at present relates primarily to the Fire Department but which will in the future also encompass the 911 telephone number. The Communications' personnel are under the supervision of the Communications supervisor. The Communications' personnel are generally not firefighters, but receive emergency calls and dispatch equipment. Within the Motor Vehicle Inspection Division of the Department of Public Safety there are three Inspection Stations located within the county. The Motor Vehicles Inspection function is under the supervision of the Motor Vehicles Inspection Supervisor who acts as a division director and effectively recommends hiring and firing and discipline of employees and who helps prepare the budget for the Motor Vehicles Inspection activities. He is also responsible for work assignments and development of work procedures. Each Inspection Station is under the direction of a Chief Inspector who is responsible for assigning work at each station and responsible for the function thereof. There are four Motor Vehicle Inspectors at each Inspection Station and one Cashier. Within the Division of Parks and Recreation of the Department of County Development there is a Parks Coordinator/Designer who can effectively recommend hiring and firing and disciplinary action of personnel within the Division. The Parks Coordinator/Designer is also responsible for the direct or specific supervision of work. He functions as an assistant division director. The Parks Supervisor is also able to effectively recommend hiring, firing and disciplinary action. The Parks Supervisor provides direct supervision of the five Maintenance Workers, the Equipment Operator II, and three Trades Workers assigned to the Parks and Recreation Division. In addition to the positions enumerated above there are an additional twenty-nine CETA Workers assigned to Parks and Recreation primarily in the grades of Maintenance Worker and Equipment Operator. Within the Building Division of the Department of County Development the construction inspection function within the county is the responsibility of the Building Official who functions as the division director of the Building Division. He is assisted in his duties by the Plans Examiner who functions as the Deputy Building Official. Both employees have the authority to effectively recommend the hiring, firing and discipline of their subordinate employees. The actual inspection of construction is carried out by one of ten inspectors. There are three Chief Building Inspectors; one assigned to general construction, one to electrical, and one to plumbing, There are six Inspectors who work under the three Chief Inspectors and one Trailer or Mobile Home Inspector who reports directly to the Building Official. Within the Land Development Division of the Department of County Development is the Zoning Department. The Land Development Administrator functions as the division director. He is assisted in his Duties by the Zoning Administrator who acts as the Assistant Division Director. Both employees have the authority to effectively recommend hiring, firing and disciplinary actions. There are three Inspectors assigned to the Land Development Division. One inspects for compliance with the County Tree Ordinance, one inspects with regard to commitments made to the county by developers and the third inspects for violations of the county zoning code. The Engineering Division of the Department of Public Works is responsible for three basic functions: Traffic engineering, design and survey, and survey and inspection. The Traffic Engineer is responsible for the traffic engineering activity and supervises the other employees directly. Signs are prepared in the County Sign Shop which is under the supervision of the Sign Shop Foreman. An Electrician is also assigned to this activity together with an Electronics Technician. They are responsible for the installation and maintenance of traffic signals. A Radio Technician is also assigned to the Traffic Engineer activity. The Radio Technician is responsible for the repair of all county radios. The Design and Survey activity consists of a Design Engineer and a Design Technician who design and draft plans for county construction projects. The Assistant County Engineer heads up the survey and inspection type activity for the Engineering Division. He is responsible for the county's two survey crews which are made up of a Party Chief and three to four crew members. The Assistant County Engineer is responsible for directing the work functions and activities of his subordinates and has the authority to effectively recommend hiring, firing and discipline. The Assistant Road Superintendent is in charge of the Road Construction and Maintenance Division of the Department of Public Works. He is assisted in the performance of his duties by two foremen and three to four crew leaders. The Road Maintenance function contains three supervisors, two of which supervise a foreman and two crew leaders and the third supervisor who supervises a crew leader. Under each crew leader there are from four to six maintenance workers or equipment operators. The Assistant Road Superintendent and the three supervisors in maintenance all function in assigning work to crews and individuals and supervising the work activity. In addition, the Assistant Road Superintendent acts as the assistant to the Road Superintendent who functions as the division director. Both men would have authority to effectively recommend hiring, firing, and disciplinary action together with the three supervisors, The Division of Heavy Equipment Maintenance is under the supervision of the Shop Foreman who functions as a division director, He is assisted by the Parts Manager who acts as the assistant division director. The position of Chief Mechanic is currently vacant and the duties are being performed by the Assistant Chief Mechanic. The primary function of the Parts Manager is the purchasing and stockage of spare parts. The Shop Foreman, Parts Manager and Assistant Chief Mechanic all have the authority to effectively hire, fire and recommend discipline. These three individuals would also provide evaluations of the mechanics, mechanic helpers and equipment servicemen assigned to the Heavy Equipment Maintenance Division. The Arthropod Division of Seminole County is responsible for refuse disposal. The division director is the Refuse Superintendent. Working under him are the Refuse Supervisor and a Landfill Foreman. The Landfill Foreman is responsible for supervision of the actual landfill operations and directly is responsible for three Equipment Operator III's and an Equipment Operator IV. The Landfill Foreman is also responsible for supervision of truck drivers while they are at the landfill area. The Landfill Foreman, Refuse Supervisor and Refuse Superintendent (division director) all have the authority to effectively recommend hiring, firing and discipline and to make work assignments and to evaluate performance. There were approximately twenty-eight employees within the Arthropod Division at the time of hearing. With regard to the employees of the county generally the testimony indicates that all employees of the county are entitled to the same vacation, retirement, and insurance benefits and that their salaries are established within the framework of the pay classification plan. The Petitioner has argued that each division is a totally independent unit, therefore, a unit composed of employees of the Arthropod and Road Construction and Maintenance Divisions of the Department of Public Works would be appropriate. The Employer has urged that the employees of the county be divided into three units: (1) all professional employees (2) all supervisory employees and (3) all employees not contained in the first two units. The Employer's proposal would appear to lump all the clerical employees, all custodial and maintenance employees, and certain highly skilled or specially trained employees in the same unit. The record does not support the Petitioner's contention that the divisions of Seminole County government are independent. The record clearly indicates that divisions are subordinate to the departments of which they are a part. The record further indicates that even departments are not totally independent or autonomous since the department heads are responsible to the County Commission which in turn establishes the salaries and other benefits of employment for all employees of the county. The record clearly indicates that a unit limited to the Arthropod and Road Divisions or even to the Public Works Department would not encompass many employees with essentially the same job functions and in some instances the same job titles and pay classifications. There are maintenance workers, equipment operators and certain custodial personnel and mechanics located in other divisions of county government. The position of the Employer fails to recognize the disparity of interest between the employees which would be "left over" and compose the third unit it has proposed. The record indicates that there are essentially three types of employees below the grade or position of division director as follows: (1) Clerical, (2) Maintenance/Custodial, and (3) Highly skilled. A large portion of the total number of county employees would fall into the clerical category to include secretaries, clerk typists, filing clerks, and fiscal assistants. The maintenance/custodial category would appear to be the next largest grouping of employees and would include custodial and maintenance workers, vehicle operators, watchmen, and mechanics. The highly or specially skilled category would include various planners, biologists, draftsmen, personnel specialists, zoning and building inspectors, and the highest level of skilled trades workers and sanitariums. Based upon the foregoing categorization of county employees, the unit composed of maintenance/custodial employees would encompass all of the job titles and job classifications sought by the Petitioner within the Department of Public Works and consolidate a substantial portion of the total number of county employees who share similar duties and work environments. A unit composed of this category would be almost identical to the last alternative unit sought by Petitioner. At the same time it would prevent fractionalization within county government and better meet the criteria stated in Section 447.009(4), Florida Statutes. This report is respectfully submitted this 11th day of April, 1976. STEPHEN F. DEAN, Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings Room 530, Carlton Building Tallahassee, Florida 32304 (904) 488-9675 COPIES FURNISHED: Thomas J. Pilacek, Esquire Bowels & Pilacek 131 Hark Lake Street Orlando, Florida 32803 David Richeson, Esquire Alley, Alley & Blue 205 Brush Avenue Tampa, Florida Henry Swann, Esquire Alley, Alley & Blue 205 Brush Avenue Tampa, Florida Chairman Public Employees Relations Commission Suite 300, 2003 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32304 ================================================================= AGENCY FINAL ORDER =================================================================
Findings Of Fact A review of Exhibit 1, the personnel record of Respondent, discloses that Respondent has been employed by the Pinellas County School Board since 1959; that he has taught science at various junior high schools and middle schools from 1958 to present; that deficiencies in maintaining discipline in his classes, judgment, maturity, and planning have been noted on his evaluation reports throughout that period; his evaluation reports have generally been below average; after extending his probationary period he was granted continuing contract status in 1971; and his evaluations have been unsatisfactory for the last three years. All of the witnesses called by Petitioner have been associated with Respondent in the school system and all considered his performance as a classroom teacher unsatisfactory. Specific incidents observed by the witnesses which led to their evaluation an characterization of Respondent include: Children in Respondents classroom intentionally hyperventilating and passing out while Respondent was in the room presumably continuing his instruction. Children in Respondent's classes more disorderly, rowdy, and noisy than in any other class. Noises from Respondent's classes of sufficient volume to disturb adjacent classes. Respondent continuing his reading of a lesson in a voice that could be heard only a few feet away while the students in other parts of the classroom talked, fought, played games and otherwise ignored Respondent. No rational grading system adopted or used by Respondent. This resulted in numerous complaints from both students and their parents respecting the grades assigned. In this respect more complaints were registered against Respondent's grades that any other teacher. Respondent often sent children to the principal for minor disciplinary problems while he ignored much more serous misconduct. Lack of coherence in Respondent's instruction in jumping from one subject to another with no plan and no continuity. Children in Respondents class recognized his inability to control the class and evinced lack of respect for Respondent. Despite numerous counselling sessions and help, Respondent never produced adequate lesson plans for his classes. Lack of plans led to less continuity in the lessons and a lower teaching level. A combination of lack of discipline, lack of proper planning and inconsistent reaction to the students in his class led to the inevitable conclusion that the students in Respondent's classes were not learning those things he was supposed to teach them. On one or more occasions Respondent disobeyed the orders of his principal to come to his office to discuss problems. respondent refused to be counselled without a union representative present. Following nearly three years of counselling, guidance and attempts to assist Respondent to improve his effectiveness at Fitzgerald Middle School, the school authorities apparently determined that Respondent should be terminated and requested an evaluation of Respondent by a Professional Practices Council Evaluator. Respondent was advised some two weeks before his arrival that an evaluator would come to observe Respondent conduct his classes and that the evaluator would submit a report following the observation. Pursuant thereto the evaluator spent February 27, 28, and March 1, 1979 observing Respondent conduct his classes. His report of this evaluation comprises Exhibit 11. In this report Respondent was evaluated as unsatisfactory in the following duties expected of a teacher: Grade record book from which students grades are taken was improperly kept and contained insufficient information to make a rational determination of the grade actually earned by each student. Respondent made no distinction among his diverse students and consequently gave them all the same assignments. Respondents lack of control over the classroom was so inadequate that an incredible amount of cheating was going on. Answers to questions were exchanged orally between students during tests and this was ignored by Respondent. As a result there was no incentive for learning and little, if any, learning took place in Respondents classes. Classroom management and discipline was practically non-existent. As stated in Exhibit 11: "Mr. Barlow cannot discipline his students well enough to get their cooperation to carry out what would otherwise be an almost acceptable (1.e. needing some definite improvement) program. Thereafter the evaluator submitted three pages of specific incidents occurring in Respondent's classes on February 27, and three more pages of incidents which generally support the conclusion that in such an atmosphere either teaching or learning is, for all intents and purposes, impossible. Planning of lessons by Respondent, both short and long-term, was so inadequate that these plans across school year 1978-79 were described to "violate, more than follow, those guidelines" [established for lesson plans]. Instead of having self-confidence and self-sufficiency in exercising authority Respondent "radiates insecurity in the classroom". Following these unsatisfactory reports the evaluator concludes that Respondent's students are being deprived of a vital part of their education. This conclusion is supported by the testimony of all other witnesses. Even those witnesses who testified on behalf of Respondent acknowledged that Respondent did not maintain order and discipline in his classes. Even those witnesses who testified on behalf of Respondent acknowledged that Respondent did not maintain order and discipline in his classes. Testifying in his own behalf Respondent did not deny that his classes were disorderly and unruly, or that the incident of the children in his class hyperventilating and passing out occurred. He contends that if he had more administrative help he could operate effectively in a classroom. His problems at Fitzgerald Middle School he blames largely on the Assistant Principal in charge of the seventh grade teachers, who, while frequently visiting Respondent's classes, undermined him. Other than Respondent's testimony no credible evidence was submitted that the Assistant Principal was doing anything other than trying to help Respondent improve his performance.
Findings Of Fact The petitions herein were filed by Petitioner with PERC on June 16, 1975. (Hearing Officer's Exhibits 1 and 2). The final hearing was scheduled to be conducted on September 17, 1975, by Notice dated August 26, 1975. (Hearing Officer's Exhibit 3). The Intervenor filed a petition with the Public Employees Relations Commission on June 26, 1975. (Hearing Officer's Exhibit 6). The Intervenor's petition was dismissed by the Chairman of PERC on August 6, 1975. The Motion to Intervene was filed with PERC on September 8, 1975. (Hearing Officer's Exhibit 8). The School Board of Broward County is a Public Employer within the meaning of Florida Statutes Section 447.002(2). (Stipulation, TR, vol. I, pp. 13, 14). The Petitioner is an employee organization within the meaning of Florida Statutes Section 447.002(10). (Stipulation, TR, vol. I, pp. 14, 15). The Intervenor is an employee organization within the meaning of Florida Statutes Section 447.002(10). (Stipulation, TR, vol. I, pp. 14, 15). There is no contract bar to holding an election in this case. (Stipulation, TR, vol I, p. 15). PERC has previously determined that the Petitioner is a duly registered employee organization. (Hearing Officer's Exhibit 4). No evidence was offered at the hearing to rebut the administrative determination previously made by PERC. PERC has previously determined that the Petitioner filed the requisite showing of interest with its petition. (Hearing Officer's Exhibit 5). Intervenor offered approximately 88 signed statements into evidence at the hearing as Intervenor's Exhibit 5. The statements express the signers' desire to resign from membership in the Petitioner. The statements were not accompanied by any testimony or other evidence with respect to their authenticity, and they were not, therefore, received in evidence. No additional evidence was offered at the hearing to rebut the administrative determination previously made by PERC respecting Petitioner's showing of interest. PERC has previously determined that the Intervenor is a duly registered employee organization. (Hearing Officer's Exhibit 7). No evidence was offered at the hearing to rebut the administrative determination previously made by PERC. In order to make a proper showing of interest in support of its Motion to Intervene, Intervenor offered authorization cards which had previously been forwarded to PERC in Case No. 8H-RC-754-2177, and which were not found by PERC to be stale and untimely. Intervenor offered additional authorization cards at the hearing, which cards have been forwarded to PERC by the undersigned. At the time of the hearing no administrative determination had been made by PERC with respect to the Intervenor's showing of interest. No evidence was offered at the hearing to rebut such an administrative determination in the event that one is made. The Broward Educational Secretaries Association is an employee organization which is seeking to represent a unit of clerical personnel employed by the Public Employer. Petitioner and Intervenor are not seeking to represent the same employees which the Broward Educational Secretaries Association is seeking to represent except that the Intervenor wishes to include employees in the Purchasing and Warehousing Departments in the unit in this case. The International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 675; the Plumbers and Pipe Fitters, Local Union 719; the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 728; and the Air Conditioning Local 725, are building trades unions which are seeking to represent employees of the Public Employer who perform building trades labor. At the time that the hearing was held none of these organizations had filed any petition with PERC seeking to represent employees of the Public Employer, and no motions to intervene were made at the hearing. The organizations had joined to form a new organization, the Broward County Public Employees Maintenance Committee. This new organization had registered with PERC, and is actively seeking to represent employees of the Public Employer. The new organization had not filed any petition with PERC, and made no motion to intervene at the hearing. The Petitioner, the Intervenor, and the Public Employer agree that the appropriate collective bargaining unit would include the following employees: Bus Drivers, Bus Driver Aides, Substitute Bus Drivers and Aides, Mail Service Employees, Garage Employees, Assistant Head Custodians, and Head Custodians, Warehousemen and Maintenance Men, except that there is a disagreement as to whether tradesmen should be included. The parties agree that the following employees should be excluded: all instructional personnel, and confidential and managerial employees. The functions of the School Board of Broward County are divided both functionally and geographically. The School Board of Broward County serves as the legislative body of the Broward County School System. The superintendent is the Chief Executive Officer. The central school board office is divided into four primary departments: Instructional Services, headed by a Program Superintendent for Instruction and a Program Director; Business Services, headed by a Program Director; Operational Services, headed by a Program Director, and Personnel Services, headed by a Director. Many school board functions are administered on a decentralized basis in four geographic areas. Each of the schools within the Broward County system fall within one of the areas. The principal of each school is charged with the responsibility for administering both instructional and non-instructional functions at the school. Each geographic area performs support functions for the schools. Four departments have been established in each area to perform the support functions. These departments are headed by a Curriculum Analyst, a Business Analyst, a Supervisor of Maintenance and Operations, and a Supervisor of Transportation. Employees involved in this case are employed in the Central Operational Services Department, in the purchasing and warehousing office of the Central Business Services Department, in the area Maintenance and Operations and Transportation Departments, and at the individual schools. There are five departments within Operational Services. The School Facilities Department is headed by a Director. This department is responsible for planning the construction of new schools or additions to already existing schools. Personnel in the department serve as a liaison between educational personnel and the school board architects. Once a project is approved by the School Board and the State, and has been contracted, the School Facilities Department supervises construction. The Minor Capital Outlay Department is headed by a Coordinator. The Coordinator prepares the budget for the Department, assigns duties, and coordinates the activities of the Department with maintenance personnel in the areas. When area maintenance personnel have special problems that cannot be handled in the ordinary course of their work day, the area supervisor from Maintenance and Operations will request assistance from Minor Capital Outlay. Five supervisors work under the Coordinator. The Plumbing Supervisor is responsible for seeing that supplies are furnished, determining what jobs need to be performed, assigning personnel to the jobs, and seeing that all jobs are accomplished. The Plumbing Supervisor submits a proposed budget to the Coordinator, coordinates purchases with area supervisors, and serve as the first step in the grievance procedure. The Electrical Supervisor, Custodial Services Supervisor, Portable Classroom Supervisor, and Painting Supervisor have the same duties and responsibilities as the Plumbing Supervisor within their respective realms. Functions performed by the Minor Capital Outlay Department which are not supervised in the `foregoing manner are supervised by foremen or leadmen. These personnel answer directly to the Coordinator. They are responsible for submitting budget information to the Coordinator, serve as the first step in the grievance procedure, and coordinate purchases with area supervisors. The Auxiliary Services Department, which is headed by a Director, covers the garage, transportation, and mailroom. The garage is responsible for maintaining buses and all school board vehicles. The Garage Coordinator is responsible for supervising activities at the garage. A Body and Paint Foreman, a Shop Foreman, and Day and Night Shift Mechanic Foremen answer to the Garage Coordinator. These foremen are working foremen. The Transportation Division is headed by a Coordinator. The Central Transportation office coordinates with transportation offices in each area. Area Transportation Supervisors work out bus routes for the individual schools based upon information submitted by the school principals. The central office coordinates with the area offices to assist in routing of buses. Bus drivers answer to the Area Transportation Supervisors, and to the Principals at the individual schools. The primary function of the Central Transportation Office is to coordinate activities of the Area Transportation offices. The mailroom provides intra-school mail service. The mailroom is headed by a mailroom specialist. The Pupil Accounting and Sight Planning Department is responsible for maintaining demographic records of the county, in order to determine where future schools should be built, and when they should be built. The department coordinates the acquisition of school sites. The department consists of a Director, two secretaries and three clerk typists. The Safety Department was previously a division of the Auxiliary Services Department. It is now a separate department under Operational Services. The Department consists of a Coordinator and two Inspectors. These personnel are certified by the State Department of Education to make health and safety inspections of the school facilities. In the event of an accident, these personnel would make an investigation and report. Such an investigation might result in disciplinary action being taken against other employees. A part of the Safety Inspector's function might be to testify at grievance hearings relating to accidents. These employees would be eligible for membership in the Petitioner, but the Constitution of Petitioner would not permit the employees to file reports that might cause disciplinary action to be taken against another member of the Petitioner. Each area is headed by an Area Superintendent. The Area Superintendent is responsible for both instructional and non-instructional matters within the area. School principals answer to the Area Superintendent. The Supervisor of Maintenance and Operations, and the Supervisor of Transportation for each area also answer to the Area Superintendent. There is no intermediate management in the non-instructional divisions of the areas. Various functional divisions of the Maintenance and Operations Departments may have working foremen which generally direct the activities of the crews. There is, for example, a small mower foreman in each area. Employees in the areas receive the same salaries and benefits, and work the same hours as the employees in the central office. A journeyman electrician assigned to the Maintenance and Operations Department of an area would receive the same employment benefits as a journeyman electrician assigned to the Minor Capital Outlay Department of Operational Services in the central office. School principals are in charge of both instructional and non- instructional matters at the schools. The principal is responsible for hiring and firing the school's custodians and on-site repairmen. The on-site repairmen will coordinate their activities with the area maintenance and operations office, but they will nonetheless answer to the principals. Head custodians provide principals with information respecting monetary needs, but they play no other budget role. Head custodians play no policy or collective bargaining role. Head custodians do serve as the initial step in the grievance procedure. Some of the principals in the school system place strong reliance upon their head custodians; others do not. Some principals assign the head custodians the responsibility of interviewing prospective employees, and such principals rely upon the head custodian's recommendations respecting hiring, firing, promotion, and vacations. Head custodians generally perform the same functions as other custodians, in addition to their supervisory functions. Head custodians will open the school plants, perform maintenance chores, clean floors, and move heavy objects. Some head custodians are given virtually no supervisory role respecting other custodians. Some of the schools employ student custodians. Student custodians answer to the Head Custodian and to the Principal. They work on a part-time, irregular basis during the school year. Regular custodians work on a full-time regular schedule, twelve months per year. Student custodians are paid less than regular custodians. The Purchasing and Warehousing Department is located within Business Services. The Director of Purchasing and Warehousing answers to the Program Director of Business Services. The Purchasing and Warehousing Department is divided into a Purchasing Division, a Property and Inventory Control Division, and a Warehouse Division. The Purchasing Division is headed by a supervisor who answers to the Director of Purchasing and Warehousing. The Purchasing Division is responsible generally for purchasing all supplies for the school system. Supplies are sent to the warehouse and are delivered from the warehouse to the schools. There are twenty-one employees in the Purchasing Division. Fifteen are Clerks or Clerk Typists. These employees generally type invoices and do filing. There are four Buyers in the Division. These employees process requisitions, process bids, and write bid specifications. The Buyers will consult with maintenance and instructional supervisors respecting supplies. The Purchasing Division is in constant contact with the warehouse, although the division is located approximately five miles from the warehouse. Three Purchasing Clerks work at the warehouse. These employees sit at desks and do not wear warehouse uniforms. Many persons in the Purchasing Division have been members of the Broward Educational Secretaries Association for some time, and wish to be represented in collective bargaining by that organization. Other employees of the Purchasing Division have been members of the Intervenor. The Public Employer employs numerous employees who perform work generally classified as in the building trades. Trade unions affiliated with the AFL-CIO have a long-standing agreement among themselves that they will not seek to represent members of another affiliated union's trade. The trade unions commonly refer to members of their trade as within their "jurisdiction". Neither the Petitioner, the Intervenor, nor the Public Employer are parties to that agreement. Tradesmen employed by the Public Employer do perform non-trade work. All tradesmen will drive trucks. The crane operator is often not engaged in that activity and will perform other maintenance work. Plumbers are occasionally called upon to dig ditches. Approximately 90 percent of the tradesmen's work is in their trade. The School Board has participated in an apprenticeship program which is managed in part by the trades unions. Through this program an employee of the School Board can become a journeyman. The program is not mandatory, and employees can become journeymen without participating in it. No evidence was offered at the hearing showing any direct conflict between tradesmen and other employees of the Public Employer. ENTERED this 12 day of March, 1976 in Tallahassee, Florida. G. STEVEN PFEIFFER Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings Room 530, Carlton Building Tallahassee, Florida
Conclusions WHEREAS, Respondent appealed her termination to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Civil Service Board (the “Board”); and WHEREAS, the appeal was transmitted to the Department of Administrative Hearings Administrative Law Judge for evidentiary hearing and recommended order; and WHEREAS, the Respondent, Pamela L. Wilson, voluntarily forfeited her right to appeal by letter to the Department of Administrative Hearings Administrative Law Judge dated September 23, 2013; and WHEREAS, Petitioner, Pinellas County Sheriffs Office, filed a Motion to Dismiss; and WHEREAS, in response to that Motion to Dismiss, the Administrative Law Judge issued an order (attached hereto and incorporated by reference) closing its file on the appeal and relinquishing jurisdiction to the Board; and “WHEREAS, Petitioner requested this Board take final agency action to accept the Administrative Law Judge’s disposition of the appeal; and WHEREAS, on October, 9, 2013, the Pinellas Board met at a duly noticed meeting to hear Petitioner’s request and reviewed the Respondent’s September 23, 2013 letter, the Petitioner’s Motion to Dismiss and the Administrative Law Judge’s Order Relinquishing Jurisdiction and voted to dismiss Pamela Wilson’s appeal by a vote of 5 to 0. NOW, THEREFORE, it is ordered and adjudged that: 1. The Board, by a unanimous vote of five (5) members, hereby dismisses the appeal of Pamela Wilson. Page 1 of 2 2. The parties are hereby notified of the right to appeal this Final Order to the Second District Court of Appeal by filing notice of intent to do so upon the Clerk of Court and the Pinellas County Sheriffs Civil Service Board within thirty (30) days of the date of this Order. IT IS SO ORDERED this_//zyw_ day of October, 2013. Lt. Col. Neal A. White, Chairman Pinellas County Sheriff’s Civil Service Board CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of the above Final Order has been furnished by U.S. Regular Mail to: Paul G. Rozelle, Associate General Counsel Ms. Pamela Wilson Pinellas County Sheriff's Office 518 Still Meadows Circle West 10750 Ulmerton Road Palm Harbor, FL 34683 Largo, FL 33778 this | xe day of October, 2013. p Carole Sanzeri Senior Assistant County Attorney 315 Court Street, 6" Floor Clearwater, FL 33756 Phone: 727-464-3354 / Fax: 727-464-4147 Attorney for the Sheriff's Civil Service Board Copy to: Members of the Sheriff’s Civil Service Board Lizzie F. Bogan, Administrative Law Judge HAUSERS\ATYKB03\WPDOCS\CS\SHERIFF CIVIL SERVICE BOARD\APPEALS\WILSON PAMELA\FINAL ORDER.DOCX Page 2 of 2
