State ex rel. International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 18, 18A, 18B, 18C, 18RA v. City of Cleveland

The case presents a single question: When negotiations between public employees represented by an exclusive bargaining agent and a city have not produced a collective bargaining agreement, will mandamus lie to resolve a wage dispute by compelling compliance with a city charter provision pursuant to R.C. 4117.10(A)? We find that it does, and reverse the decision of the court of appeals and allow the writ.

The city contends that mandamus is not appropriate because of the availability of other remedies, namely R.C. 4117.11, 4117.12 and 4117.14. Although the city characterizes the negotiation…