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February 20, 2009

FOP lodges labor complaint against city

By BOB GIBBINS

TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS — The Tahlequah Fraternal Order of Police has lodged an unfair labor practices complaint against the city.

A letter from Debbie Tiehan, administrator of the state’s Public Employees Relations Board, addressed to Mayor Ken Purdy and Douglas Vernier, attorney for the FOP, states the city has 10 days to file an answer or other responsive pleading.

The city also has the right to appear and give testimony at a hearing before the board.

A scheduling order teleconference, generated from the PERB office in Oklahoma City, will be held March 13 at 10 a.m.

The unfair labor practices charge alleges Police Chief Steve Farmer demoted FOP members Capt. Tom Jones and Lt. Clint Keys without cause. The FOP filed grievances, according to bargaining act procedures.

Farmer doesn’t have the authority to demote the officers, but took the requested demotions before the city council. The council considered the demotions at two council meetings in executive sessions. No action was taken at the first meeting. The council ultimately denied two requests to demote the officers and ordered Farmer to fully reinstate Keys and Jones.

The complaint alleges the city and Farmer have not restored Keys’ supervisor duties. The refusal to do so, the FOP claims, violates the duty to discuss grievances on good faith. This behavior, the complaint claims, amounts to discriminating against a police officer because he has filed a complaint and/or because of his election for representation by the bargaining agent.

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