Michael P. Duco , Interim Deputy Director

The Office of Collective Bargaining performs a variety of services in conjunction with labor contract negotiation and
administration. Statutorily, the Office of Collective Bargaining serves as the principle representative of the State as
an employer and negotiates all of the State’s labor contracts. Interim Deputy Director Duco is primarily responsible for
developing and directing the State’s labor relations policy. He is the State’s chief negotiator and works closely with
all levels of management, as well as union personnel, to create and establish labor contracts that not only give management
the tools necessary to run our government efficiently, but also meet the needs of workforce.

This office presently serves approximately seventy (70) state agencies, boards and commissions, offering technical
assistance and expertise to agency management staff and coordinating dispute resolution. Labor-management
cooperation and labor relations training are key initiatives managed by the Deputy Director’s office. OCB hosts a
bi-monthly Labor Relations Advisory Council where OCB management and staff discuss labor issues with agency
labor relations representatives. OCB also holds bargaining conferences, new contract training, labor conferences
and assists the State’s other elected officials with negotiations. The Deputy Director serves on the Board of Trustees
for the Union Benefits Trust and provides management oversight to the Joint Health Care Committee (JHCC).

•  Labor Relations and Dispute Resolution

•  Legal

•  Finance and Administration

Labor Relations and Dispute Resolution
Joe Trejo , Assistant Manager of Labor Relations & Dispute Resolution

The Labor Relations and Dispute Resolution section works directly with agency human resources staff, representing
management at all mediations and arbitrations. Consulting services and training are provided to agency human resources
staff regarding employee relations, including performance evaluations, investigations and discipline, contract interpretation
and administration, employee grievances and agency policies; assists in the statewide delivery of mediation/arbitration
services.

Labor Relations and Dispute Resolution also coordinates all mediations and arbitrations with agencies and the unions, it
joins with the unions to select mediators and arbitrators for state panels, and it assists agencies that are involved in
arbitrations by providing and training arbitration advocates.

Labor Relations Specialists provide expertise in many areas, including employee discipline, grievance procedures, contract
interpretation and negotiation strategies. This section also develops and delivers training on a number of topics related to
employee relations (Please visit the Training section of this web site).

Legal
Kristen Rankin , General Counsel

The Legal section handles all matters at the State Employment Relations Board (SERB) on behalf of State agencies.  
Such matters include: responding to unfair labor practice charges that are filed against State agencies by employees
and their representatives, filing unfair labor practices on behalf of State agencies, and petitioning to add or delete specific
positions in a bargaining unit .  The Legal section assists State agencies with research and general Labor law issues
and works closely with the Employment Law Section of the Attorney General's Office on litigation matters, including
motions to vacate arbitration awards and hearings in front of the State Employment Relations Board.

The Legal Section is available to assist State advocates with labor arbitration award research in preparation for hearings or
to assist with brief-writing.

The Legal Section also provides assistance throughout the collective bargaining process by ensuring statutory procedures
are met, researching key issues, and preparing for fact-finding proceedings, when necessary.

[Page last updated June 14, 2007]