§ 25-5-1. Short Title
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Firefighter’s Mediation Act.” History. Ga. L. 1971, p. 565, § 1.
§ 25-5-10. Mediation Board — Factors to Be Considered in Reaching Decision
The mediators shall conduct the hearing and render their decision upon the basis of a prompt, peaceful, and just settlement of wage or hour disputes between the firefighters and the corporate authority. The factors, among others, to be given weight by the mediators in arriving at a decision shall include: A comparison of wages or […]
§ 25-5-11. Payment of Expenses of Mediation
The expenses incurred by the bargaining agent in connection with the mediation shall be borne by the bargaining agent. The expenses incurred by the corporate authorities in connection with the mediation shall be borne by such authorities. The necessary expenses incurred by the third mediator shall be borne equally between the bargaining agent and the […]
§ 25-5-12. Agreements Constituting Collective Bargaining Contracts; Required Provisions; Engaging in Work Stoppages, Slowdowns, or Strikes by Firefighters
Any agreement actually negotiated between the bargaining agent and the corporate authorities either before or within 30 days after mediation shall constitute the collective bargaining contract governing firefighters and the municipality for the period stated therein. Such period shall not exceed one year. Any collective bargaining agreement negotiated under this chapter shall specifically provide that […]
§ 25-5-13. Service of Notice of Request for Collective Bargaining Upon Corporate Authorities by Bargaining Agent
Whenever wages, rates of pay, or any other matter requiring appropriation of money by any municipality are included as a matter of collective bargaining conducted under this chapter, it is the obligation of the bargaining agent to serve written notice of a request for collective bargaining on the corporate authorities at least 120 days before […]
§ 25-5-14. Applicability of Chapter
Before a municipality with a population of 20,000 or more and its firefighters may come under this chapter, the governing authority of the municipality must agree by ordinance that the municipality will be so covered. In no case may a city with a population of less than 20,000 come under this chapter. History. Ga. L. […]
§ 25-5-2. Definitions
As used in this chapter, the term: “Corporate authorities” means the proper officials within any municipality whose duty it is to establish the wages, salaries, rates of pay, hours, working conditions, and other terms and conditions of employment of firefighters, as defined in paragraph (2) of this Code section, whether they are the mayor, city […]
§ 25-5-3. Declaration of Public Policy
The protection of the public health, safety, and welfare demands that the permanent members of any paid fire department of a municipality should not be accorded the right to strike or engage in any work stoppage or slowdown. This necessary prohibition, however, shall not prohibit such municipal employees from being represented by a labor organization […]
§ 25-5-4. Right of Firefighters to Bargain Collectively
Firefighters shall have the right to bargain collectively with their respective corporate authorities and to be represented by a labor organization in such collective bargaining as to wages, rates of pay, hours, working conditions, and all other terms and conditions of employment. History. Ga. L. 1971, p. 565, § 4.
§ 25-5-5. Selection of Bargaining Agent by Firefighters; Recognition by Corporate Authority
The organization selected by vote of the majority of the firefighters in any fire department shall be recognized by the proper corporate authority, provided the organization does not advocate striking and has a “no strike” clause in its constitution and bylaws, as the sole and exclusive bargaining agent for all of the members of the […]
§ 25-5-6. Obligation of Corporate Authority and Agent to Meet and Confer in Good Faith; Reduction of Agreement to Written Contract; Limitation as to Duration of Contract
It shall be the obligation of the proper corporate authority and the bargaining agent to meet and confer in good faith within 30 days after receipt of a written notice from the bargaining agent of the request for a meeting for collective bargaining purposes. This obligation may include the duty to cause any agreement resulting […]
§ 25-5-7. Submission of Unresolved Issues to Mediation
If the bargaining agent and the corporate authorities are unable, within 30 days from and including the date of their first meeting, to reach an agreement on a contract, any and all unresolved issues shall be submitted to mediation. History. Ga. L. 1971, p. 565, § 7.
§ 25-5-8. Mediation Board — Composition and Selection; Chairman
Within five days from the expiration of the 30 day period referred to in Code Section 25-5-7, the bargaining agent and the corporate authorities shall each select and name one mediator and shall immediately thereafter notify each other in writing of the name and address of the person so selected. The bargaining agent may name […]
§ 25-5-9. Mediation Board — Time, Notice, and Conduct of Hearings; Transmittal of Findings and Opinion; Effect of Decision
The mediation board, acting through its chairman, shall call a hearing to be held within ten days after the date of the appointment of the chairman and, acting through its chairman, shall give at least seven days’ notice in writing to each of the other two mediators, the bargaining agent, and the corporate authorities of […]