Governor Signs Amendments to MMBA Affecting "Tentative Agreements" and Arbitration Agreements
Governor Brown signed AB 537 amending the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act (MMBA). The MMBA governs labor-management relations within California local governments (e.g. cities and counties).
AB 537 makes two key changes to the MMBA. First, if a tentative agreement is reached between a Union and a public agency, the governing body of the public agency must accept or reject the tentative agreement within thirty days of the date it is first considered by that governing body. Second, the bill makes arbitration agreements contained in MOUs enforceable through the California Arbitration Act. The bill specifically states that a court may not refuse to order arbitration because the grievance might also allege an unfair labor practice subject to jurisdiction of the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB).
For more information on these changes to the MMBA, please contact your labor counsel.
Author: Jake White
