TATE v. ANTOSH

Opinion by

President Judge Bowman,

Although not so posed by the parties to these consolidated appeals, the fundamental issue is whether the judiciary — to enforce an admitted obligation of the City of Philadelphia to certain of its employees — may direct the legislative branch of the government of that city to appropriate funds to meet such obligations.

Prior decisional law makes solution of the issue difficult. Compounding the difficulty is the impact, if any, of recent legislation on the subject of labor rela tions between public employees and their government employer.

The essential facts are…