As used in this article, the term:
(Ga. L. 1962, p. 459, § 2; Ga. L. 1990, p. 8, § 45; Ga. L. 1998, p. 1155, § 1.)
Law reviews.- For review of 1998 legislation relating to public officers and employees, see 15 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 201 (1998).
JUDICIAL DECISIONS
Slowdowns in writing tickets prohibited.
- Police officers were properly disciplined for violating county policy and O.C.G.A. §§ 45-19-1 and45-19-2 by promoting a ticket slow-down program that encouraged other officers to write fewer tickets, allegedly to cause financial problems for the county, as the slow-down program constituted a strike under § 45-19-1(3). Douglas v. Dekalb County, 308 Fed. Appx. 396 (11th Cir. 2009)(Unpublished).
Cited in Local 189 Int'l Union of Police Ass'ns v. Barrett, 524 F. Supp. 760 (N.D. Ga. 1981).
OPINIONS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
Right to express complaints and opinions.
- A state employee has the right, either singularly or collectively, to express or communicate complaints or opinions relating to state employment, including freedom to enter into organizations created for like purposes; the only limitation upon such activities of the state employees would prevent their striking, or otherwise interfering with proper performance of the duties of state employment, or obstructing access to or egress from state property. 1969 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 69-379.
Right to join labor union.- Although the Fulton County Board of Family and Children Services lacks authority to enter into a collective bargaining agreement with a union, there is no prohibition against the board's having discussions with employees or their representatives on appropriate subjects; while state employees are prohibited from striking, they have the right to express complaints or opinions relating to the conditions of their employment; this would appear to include the right to join a labor union. 1973 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 73-56.
Activities not amounting to strike.- The Department of Transportation has no power to take steps to prevent any labor activity short of strikes and other obstructions to the performance of the duties of employment. 1969 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 69-379.
RESEARCH REFERENCES
Am. Jur. 2d.
- 48 Am. Jur. 2d, Labor and Labor Relations, §§ 310, 409. 48A Am. Jur. 2d, Labor and Labor Relations, § 1322 et seq.
C.J.S.- 83 C.J.S., Strike, § 1 et seq.
ALR.- Rights of state and municipal public employees in grievance proceedings, 46 A.L.R.4th 912.