BILL ANALYSIS
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 383|
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THIRD READING
Bill No: SB 383
Author: Burton (D) and Romero (D), et al
Amended: 3/26/01
Vote: 21
SENATE PUBLIC EMP. & RET. COMMITTEE : 3-2, 4/2/01
AYES: Soto, Karnette, Romero
NOES: Haynes, Oller
SUBJECT : Arbitration: local public employees
SOURCE : Union of American Physicians and Dentists
DIGEST : This bill provides binding arbitration for
physicians and dentists employed by the County of Los
Angeles.
ANALYSIS : Existing law provides for the arbitration of
disputes between local public employers and firefighters
and law enforcement officers.
This bill extends these provisions to physicians and
dentists, as defined, who are local public employees of the
County of Los Angeles.
Background :
SB 402 (Burton) Chapter 906, Statutes of 2000 established
the provisions of local binding arbitration, with respect
to economic issues, for firefighters and law enforcement
officers, upon which this bill is based.
CONTINUED
SB 383
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Current law under this bill provides that if an impasse has
been declared after the representatives of an employer and
firefighters or law enforcement officers have exhausted
their mutual efforts to reach agreement over economic
issues as defined within the scope of arbitration, and the
parties are unable to agree to the appointment of a
mediator, or if a mediator is unable to effect settlement
of a dispute between the parties, the employee organization
may request, by written notification to the employer, that
their differences be submitted to an arbitration panel.
Each party would designate one member of the panel, and
those members would designate the chairperson of the panel
pursuant to specified procedures.
FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No
Local: No
SUPPORT : (Verified 4/4/02)
Union of American Physicians and Dentists (source)
California Medical Association
California Nurses Association
California Psychiatric Association
California Association of Psychiatric Technicians
California labor Federation
OPPOSITION : (Verified 4/4/01)
League of California Cities
California State Association of Counties
County of Los Angeles
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT : According to supporters this
provision, combined with a no-strike clause, will be
effective in resolving contract disputes with physicians
and dentists that might cause disruption of essential
healthcare services to the poor and indigent served by
county facilities. Given the key role that physicians play
in the Los Angeles County healthcare system, this
legislation is clearly in the public interest and will
insure continuous and non-interrupted service to the poor,
uninsured and indigent patients served by the system.
SB 383
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ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION : The bill will result in higher
wages and fringe benefits for the highest paid profession
in the public sector. Since most local governments devote
more than half of their annual budgets to personnel
expenses, the amount public employees are paid and the
benefits they receive is one of the most important
financial decisions elected officials make. If SB 383 is
enacted, it will place provisions of a local government's
budget in the hands of an appointed arbitrator.
TSM:jk 4/4/01 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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