Description
of Agency
[based generally on: State of Wisconsin Blue Book 2005-06]
]
EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS COMMISSION
Commissioners: JUDITH M. NEUMANN, chairperson,
266-0166, judy.neumann@; PAUL GORDON, paul.gordon@; SUSAN J.M. BAUMAN, susan.bauman@
(appointed by governor with senate consent).
General Counsel: PETER G.
Team Leaders: MARSHALL L. GRATZ, (414) 963-4695, marshall.gratz@; WILLIAM C. HOULIHAN, 266-0147, william.houlihan@; GEORGANN KRAMER, 266-9287, georgann.kramer@
Mailing Address:
Location:
Telephone: (608) 266-1381. Fax:
(608) 266-6930. Agency E-mail Address: werc@werc.state.wi.us
Internet Address: http://werc.wi.gov
Address e-mail by combining the user ID and
the agency extender: userid@werc.state.wi.us
Publications: Biennial reports; complaint
procedures manual; agency decisions.
Number of Employees: 23.50.
Total Budget 2003-05: $5,245,400.
Statutory References: Sections 15.58, 230.44, and
230.45; Chapter 111.
Agency Responsibility: The Employment Relations
Commission promotes collective bargaining and peaceful labor relations in the
private and public sectors. It processes various types of labor relations
cases, including elections, bargaining unit clarifications, union security
referenda, mediations, interest arbitrations, grievance arbitrations,
prohibited or unfair labor practices, and declaratory rulings. The commission
also issues decisions arising from state employee civil service appeals,
including appeals relating to certain classification, examination, and
appointment issues, disciplinary actions, hazardous employment injury benefits,
and noncontractual grievances. The commission’s decisions are subject to review
in state court. In addition to mediating labor disputes, the commission
provides training and assistance to parties interested in labor/management cooperation
and a consensus approach to resolving labor relations issues.
Organization: The 3 full-time commissioners
are chosen for staggered 6-year terms, and the governor designates one
commissioner to serve as chairperson for a 2-year term. The chairperson
functions as the agency administrator and is assisted by supervisors who head
teams of attorney/ mediators and their support staff. The general counsel
reviews all complaint appeals and declaratory ruling records; prepares draft
decisions for commission consideration; and serves as liaison to the
legislature and to the attorney general, who represents the commission in
court.
History: Chapter 51, Laws of 1937,
created the Wisconsin Labor Relations Board as an independent agency in the
executive branch. Chapter 57, Laws of 1939, replaced the board with the
Employment Relations Board and amended state laws governing labor relations.
The 1967 Legislature renamed the board the Employment Relations Commission and
continued it as an independent agency.
Over the years, the
legislature has expanded the rights of public employees and the duties of the
commission in the area of public employment labor relations. Chapter 509, Laws
of 1959, authorized municipal employees to organize and be represented by labor
organizations in negotiating wages, hours, and conditions of employment.
Chapter 124, Laws of 1971, gave municipal employees the right to bargain
collectively and made a municipal employer’s refusal to bargain a prohibited
practice. Chapters 246 and 247, Laws of 1971, established
compulsory interest arbitration for police and firefighters in
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This page is a public domain communication of
the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission. The URL of this page is
{http://badger.state.wi.us/agencies/werc/blue_current.htm}. Last
modified on 23 MAY 2007. Comments, questions and suggestions.