By Howard Fischer | Capitol Media Services
PHOENIX — A new ruling by the Arizona Supreme Court could undermine agreements that Arizona cities have with their labor unions.
In a unanimous decision, the justices said the contract Phoenix negotiated with one of its unions illegally gives away city resources because it allows employees to work on union issues on city time while being paid. The court said there was no evidence the cost to taxpayers was in any way commensurate with the benefits they got.
Tucson City Attorney Mike Rankin said Wednesday’s ruling will require him to review the contracts the city has with four different unions. He said it is possible what the city agreed to is now no longer considered legal.
Rankin said changes could be made to those contracts to meet some concerns in the high court ruling. These include things such as having those employees working on what has been considered union business file reports of what they are doing and how that benefits the city and placing a limit on the paid time off.
