Portland Fire Fighters Ass'n v. City of Portland

Neither a public employer nor its employees’ exclusive representative may refuse the other’s request to bargain collectively “with respect to employment relations.” ORS 243.650(4), 243.672(l)(e), 243.672(2)(b). 1 The issue presented is whether a public employer’s limit on the number of fire fighters who may be on vacation at the same time is an “employment relation” and therefore a matter over which the employer may not refuse to bargain. The Employment Relations Board (ERB) concluded that the limit was not an “employment relation” and, on judicial review, the Court of Appeals affirmed.…