Oregon Revised Statutes

Chapter 663 — Labor Relations Generally

56 sections

663.005 Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise: “Board” means the Employment Relations Board. “Conciliator” means the head of the State Conciliation Service. “Employee” includes any employee, and is not limited to the employees of a particular employer unless this chapter explicitly states otherwise, and includes any individual whose work …

663.010 “Collective bargaining” defined

For the purposes of this chapter, “collective bargaining” is the performance of the mutual obligation of the employer and the representative of the employees to meet at reasonable times and confer in good faith with respect to wages, hours and other terms and conditions of employment, or the negotiation of an agreement, or any question arising thereunder, an…

663.015 Designated collective bargaining representatives to be exclusive; grievances excepted

Representatives designated or selected for the purposes of collective bargaining, by the majority of the employees in a unit appropriate for such purposes, are the exclusive representatives of all the employees in that unit for the purposes of collective bargaining in respect to rates of pay, wages, hours of employment or other conditions of employment. Howe…

663.020 Determination of appropriate unit for purposes of collective bargaining

The Employment Relations Board shall decide in each case whether the unit appropriate for the purposes of collective bargaining is the employer unit, craft unit, plant unit, or subdivision thereof. However, the board shall not decide that: A unit is appropriate for such purposes if the unit includes both professional employees and employees who are not prof…

663.025 Filing of representation petition; investigation; hearing; election

A petition may be filed with the Employment Relations Board, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the board: By an employee or group of employees, or any individual or labor organization acting in their behalf, alleging that a substantial number of employees: Wish to be represented for collective bargaining and that their employer declines to recog…

663.030 Conduct of representation election

No election shall be directed in any bargaining unit or any subdivision within which, in the preceding 12 months, a valid election has been held. Employees engaged in an economic strike who are not entitled to reinstatement are eligible to vote, under regulations of the Employment Relations Board consistent with the purposes and provisions of this chapter, i…

663.035 Filing of deauthorization petition; election; limitation

Upon the filing with the Employment Relations Board by 40 percent or more of the employees in a bargaining unit covered by an agreement between their employer and a labor organization requiring membership as a condition of employment, of a petition alleging that they desire that the authority of the labor organization to make such an agreement be rescinded, …

663.040 Filing charge of illegal election practice; investigation; new election

Any person may file with the Employment Relations Board a charge that employees eligible to vote in an election under this chapter have been coerced or restrained in the exercise of this right. The board shall investigate the charge. If, upon the basis of its findings, the board concludes that employees eligible to vote in the election were so coerced or res…

663.045 Obtaining advisory opinions on assertion of federal jurisdiction; findings of board to be public records

In carrying out this chapter, the Employment Relations Board may, pursuant to any applicable federal law, rule or regulation, petition the National Labor Relations Board for an advisory opinion as to whether that agency will assert jurisdiction over a labor dispute which is the subject of a proceeding then pending before the board. All findings, conclusions…

663.100 Determination of agent

For the purposes of this chapter, in determining whether a person is acting as an “agent” of a second person so as to make the second person responsible for the acts of the first person, the question of whether the specific acts performed were actually authorized or subsequently ratified is not controlling.

663.105 Supervisory personnel as union members

Nothing in this chapter prohibits an individual employed as a supervisor from becoming or remaining a member of a labor organization, but no employer subject to this chapter is compelled to treat as employees, for the purpose of collective bargaining, individuals defined as supervisors in ORS 663.005.

663.110 Employee organization, bargaining rights; union security agreements; payments to charitable institutions in lieu of union dues and other fees

Employees have the right to self-organization; to form, join or assist labor organizations; to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing; and to engage in other concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection. Employees also have the right to refrain from any or all of such activities e…

663.115 Right to strike

Nothing in this chapter, except as specifically provided for therein, either interferes with, impedes or diminishes in any way the right to strike, or affects the limitations or qualifications on that right.

663.120 Employer unfair labor practices

It is an unfair labor practice for an employer: To interfere with, restrain or coerce employees in the exercise of the rights guaranteed in ORS 663.110; To dominate or interfere with the formation or administration of any labor organization or contribute financial or other support to it. However, subject to rules published by the Employment Relations Board…

663.125 Other employer unfair labor practices

It is an unfair labor practice for an employer, by discrimination in regard to hire or tenure of employment or any term or condition of employment, to encourage or discourage membership in a labor organization. However: Nothing in this chapter or in any other statute of this state precludes an employer from making an agreement with a labor organization (not…

663.127 Union security agreements

An employer or labor organization anywhere in this state may execute and apply an agreement requiring membership in a labor organization as a condition of employment to the full extent allowed by federal law. Note: 663.127 was added to and made a part of ORS chapters 661 to 663 by legislative action but was not added to ORS chapter 663 or any series therein…

663.130 Union unfair labor practices

It is an unfair labor practice for a labor organization or its agents: To cause or attempt to cause an employer to discriminate against an employee in violation of ORS 663.125 or to discriminate against an employee with respect to whom membership in such organization has been denied or terminated on some ground other than the failure of the employee to tend…

663.135 Excessive membership fee

It is an unfair labor practice for a labor organization or its agents to require of employees covered by an agreement authorized under ORS 663.125 the payment, as a condition precedent to becoming a member of the organization, of a fee in an amount which the Employment Relations Board finds excessive or discriminatory under all the circumstances. In making s…

663.140 Encouraging certain strikes; refusals to handle products

It is an unfair labor practice for a labor organization or its agents to engage in, or to induce or encourage any individual employed by any person to engage in, a strike or a refusal in the course of employment to use, manufacture, process, transport or otherwise handle or work on any goods, articles, materials or commodities or to perform any services; or …

663.145 Refusal to enter upon premises where strike in progress; truthful strike publicity not prohibited

Notwithstanding ORS 663.140, nothing in ORS 663.130 to 663.150 makes unlawful a refusal by any person to enter upon the premises of an employer (other than the person’s own employer), if the employees of that employer are engaged in a strike ratified or approved by an elected and certified representative of the employees whom the employer is required to reco…

663.150 Picketing to force recognition of or bargaining with union

It is an unfair labor practice for a labor organization or its agents to picket or cause to be picketed, or threaten to picket or cause to be picketed, any employer when an object thereof is forcing or requiring an employer to recognize or bargain with a labor organization as the representative of the employees, or forcing or requiring the employees of an em…

663.155 Contract with employer to refrain from dealing in products of another employer

It is an unfair labor practice for a labor organization and an employer to enter into a contract or agreement, express or implied, whereby the employer ceases or refrains, or agrees to cease or refrain, from handling, using, selling, transporting or otherwise dealing in any of the products of any other employer, or to cease doing business with any other pers…

663.160 Expression of views not containing threats or promises of benefit not unfair labor practice

The expressing of any views, argument or opinion, or the dissemination thereof, whether in written, printed, graphic or visual form, does not constitute evidence of an unfair labor practice under any of the provisions of this chapter, if the expression contains no threat of reprisal or force or promise of benefit.

663.165 Procedure for terminating or modifying existing collective bargaining contract; notice; negotiation meetings

Notwithstanding ORS 663.010, if there is in effect a collective-bargaining contract covering employees in an industry, the duty to bargain collectively also means that no party to the contract shall terminate or modify the contract, unless the party desiring termination or modification: Serves a written notice upon the other party to the contract of the pro…

663.170 Unfair labor practice provisions not retroactive

No provision of this chapter makes an unfair labor practice any act that was performed before January 1, 1972. ORS 663.125 and 663.130 (1) do not make an unfair labor practice the performance of any obligation under a collective-bargaining agreement entered into before January 1, 1972, unless the agreement was renewed or extended after January 1, 1972. REM…

663.175 Authority of board to prevent unfair labor practices; authority not to affect other lawful adjustment means

As provided in ORS 663.175 to 663.260, the Employment Relations Board may prevent any person from engaging in an unfair labor practice listed in ORS 663.120 to 663.165. This power is not affected by any other means of adjustment or prevention established by agreement, law, ordinance, regulation or otherwise.

663.180 Filing of charges of unfair practice; fees; board investigation; issuance of complaints

A person may file with the Employment Relations Board a charge that another person has engaged in or is engaging in an unfair labor practice. The person filing the charge shall pay a fee of $300 to the board. The board shall deposit fees received under this section to the credit of the Employment Relations Board Administrative Account. If it is charged that…

663.185 Amendment of complaint; filing answer; intervenors; fees; conduct of proceedings

The Employment Relations Board may amend a complaint at any time before the issuance of an order based on the complaint. The person so complained of may file an answer to the original or amended complaint and appear in person or otherwise and give testimony at the place and time fixed in the complaint. The person filing the answer shall pay a fee of $300 to…

663.190 Record of testimony at hearings

The testimony taken at the hearing shall be reduced to writing and filed with the Employment Relations Board. Thereafter, in its discretion, the board on notice may take further testimony or hear argument, which shall similarly be reduced to writing.

663.195 Orders and findings of board

If, on the preponderance of the evidence taken and in the record, the Employment Relations Board is not of the opinion that the person named in the complaint has engaged in or is engaging in an unfair labor practice, the board shall state its findings of fact and shall issue an order dismissing the complaint. If, on the preponderance of evidence taken and i…

663.200 Employee reinstatement orders; reports showing compliance with orders

Except as provided in ORS 663.195 (3), if an order directs reinstatement of an employee, back pay may be required of the employer or labor organization responsible for the discrimination suffered by the employee. In determining whether a complaint shall issue alleging a violation of ORS 663.120 (1) or (2), and in deciding such cases, the same regulations an…

663.205 Modification, setting aside orders by board; contents of record in certain representation matters

Until the record of a case has been filed in court as provided in ORS 663.210 or 663.220, the Employment Relations Board at any time, upon reasonable notice and in such manner as it considers proper, may modify or set aside in whole or in part any finding or order made or issued by it. If an order of the board made pursuant to ORS 663.190, 663.195 and 663.2…

663.210 Enforcement of orders by Court of Appeals; injunctive relief; notice of filing enforcement petition; authority of court in reviewing order

The Employment Relations Board may petition the Court of Appeals for the enforcement of an order and for appropriate temporary relief or restraining order, and shall file in the court the record in the proceedings. On the filing of the petition the court shall cause notice thereof to be served upon such person, and thereupon it has jurisdiction of the procee…

663.215 Scope of court review of order; additional evidence; modification of findings by board

No objection that has not been urged before the Employment Relations Board shall be considered by the court, unless the failure or neglect to urge the objection is excused because of extraordinary circumstances. The findings of the board with respect to questions of fact, if supported by substantial evidence on the record considered as a whole, are conclusiv…

663.220 Appeal of board’s order to Court of Appeals; authority of court in reviewing order

Any person aggrieved by a final order of the Employment Relations Board granting or denying in whole or in part the relief sought may obtain a review of the order in the Court of Appeals by filing in the court a written petition praying that the order of the board be modified or set aside. A copy of the petition shall be transmitted forthwith by the clerk of…

663.225 Hearing of petitions; review proceedings not to stay board’s order

Petitions filed under ORS 663.175 to 663.260 shall be heard expeditiously, and if possible within 10 days after they are docketed. The commencement of proceedings under ORS 663.210, 663.215 and 663.220 does not, unless specifically ordered by the court, operate as a stay of the Employment Relations Board’s order.

663.230 Court jurisdiction in granting injunctive relief or reviewing order not limited by ORS 662.010 to 662.130

When granting appropriate temporary relief or a restraining order, or making and entering a judgment enforcing, modifying and enforcing as so modified, or setting aside in whole or in part an order of the Employment Relations Board, as provided in ORS 663.175 to 663.260, the jurisdiction of the court is not limited by ORS 662.010 to 662.130.

663.235 Injunctive relief authorized upon issuance of unfair labor practice complaint; notice to defendant; court jurisdiction

The Employment Relations Board, on issuance of a complaint charging that any person has engaged in or is engaging in an unfair labor practice, may petition the Court of Appeals for appropriate temporary relief or restraining order. On the filing of any such petition the court shall cause notice thereof to be served upon such person, and thereupon has jurisdi…

663.240 Priority of hearing certain unfair labor practice cases

If it is charged that a person has engaged in an unfair labor practice within the meaning of ORS 663.125 or 663.130 (1), the charge shall be given priority over all other cases except cases of like character where it is filed or referred and cases given priority under ORS 663.250, 663.255 and 663.260.

663.245 Hearing unfair labor practice cases involving jurisdictional disputes; dismissal of charges upon voluntary adjustment of dispute

If it is charged that a person has engaged in an unfair labor practice within the meaning of ORS 663.140 (4), the Employment Relations Board shall hear and determine the dispute out of which the unfair labor practice arose unless, within 10 days after notice that the charge has been filed, the parties to the dispute submit to the board satisfactory evidence …

663.250 Priority of investigating certain unfair labor practice charges; injunctive relief pending disposition of case; notice of petition; court authority

If it is charged that a person has engaged in an unfair labor practice within the meaning of ORS 663.140 (1) to (3) or 663.150 or 663.155, the preliminary investigation of the charge shall be made forthwith and given priority over all other cases except cases of like character where it is filed or referred. If, after investigation, the Employment Relations B…

663.255 Injunctive relief without notice; when board not to apply for injunctive relief

Notwithstanding ORS 663.250: No temporary restraining order shall be issued without notice unless a petition alleges that substantial and irreparable injury to the charging party will be unavoidable. Such a temporary restraining order is effective for no longer than five days and is void at the expiration of that period. The Employment Relations Board shal…

663.260 Service of process on union; making union party to suit

The service of legal process upon an officer or agent of a labor organization constitutes service upon the labor organization and makes the organization a party to the suit.

663.265 Application of ORS 663.270 to 663.295 to hearings and investigations

ORS 663.270 to 663.295 apply to all hearings and investigations which, in the opinion of the Employment Relations Board, are necessary and proper for the exercise of the powers vested in it by this chapter.

663.270 Access of board to evidence relating to subject matter of investigation or proceedings; revocation of subpoenas requiring improper information; administration of oaths; taking testimony and evidence

The Employment Relations Board or its duly authorized agents at all reasonable times shall have access to, for the purpose of examination, and the right to copy, any evidence of a person being investigated or proceeded against that relates to any matter under investigation or in question. The board, upon application of a party to such proceedings, forthwith …

663.275 Refusal to obey subpoenas punished as contempt of court

In case of contumacy or refusal to obey a subpoena issued to any person, any court of this state within the jurisdiction of which the inquiry is carried on or within the jurisdiction of which the person guilty of contumacy or refusal to obey is found or resides or transacts business, upon application by the Employment Relations Board or its agent, has jurisd…

663.280 Immunity from punishment of persons testifying, producing evidence required by subpoena

No person shall be excused from attending and testifying or from producing books, records, correspondence, documents or other evidence in obedience to a subpoena issued under ORS 663.270, on the ground that the testimony or evidence required of the person may tend to incriminate the person or subject the person to a penalty or forfeiture. However, no individ…

663.285 Method of serving process of board; fees for witnesses summoned by board

Complaints, orders, and other process and papers of the Employment Relations Board or its designated agent issued under this chapter may be served personally, by registered or certified mail, by telegraph or by leaving a copy thereof at the principal office or place of business of the person required to be served. The verified return by the individual so ser…

663.290 Place of service of court process

All process of any court to which application may be made under this chapter may be served wherever the defendant or other person required to be served resides or may be found.

663.295 Governmental officers and agencies to furnish evidence related to board proceedings

All officers, departments and agencies of this state, when directed by the Governor, shall furnish the Employment Relations Board, upon its request, all records, papers and information in their possession relating to any matter before the board.

663.300 [Formerly 662.605; repealed by 1975 c.147 §21]

663.305 [Formerly 662.615; repealed by 1975 c.147 §21]

663.310 [Formerly 662.625; repealed by 1975 c.147 §21]

663.315 [Formerly 662.635; repealed by 1975 c.147 §21]

663.320 [Formerly 662.645; repealed by 1975 c.147 §21]

663.325 [Formerly 662.655; repealed by 1975 c.147 §21]

CHAPTERS 664 TO 669 [Reserved for expansion] _______________