April 19, 2024 DPH Memo to Managers re: Collective Bargaining & Protecting Union Involvement
 

If you or anyone who participates in union activities are contacted by a manager or HR staff member, do NOT speak with them. That is considered “direct dealing” and is illegal during this period of contract negotiations. The city management and HR team are aware that they should be working with our bargaining team, union reps and shop stewards, please redirect them back to us. As a reminder, participation in union activity is considered “protected concerted activity,” meaning retaliation by management is illegal. If you are asked to have a meeting with management, ask if it is a disciplinary meeting, and regardless of the answer, you can ask for a Union Representative, such as a Field Representative or Union Steward, to be present with you. The meeting can always be rescheduled to have a Union Representative be present. If shifts, protected roles, or other "perks" of your job are taken away or if you havew an uncomfortable interaction with management, write down what you experienced as soon as possible, include what was said and who was present. Contact your Union Field Representative or Union Steward, or contact us here. The California Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) has ruled that the form the City and County of San Francisco make employees sign agreeing they can be terminated for striking is void and unenforceable.