As used in this act:

1. “Bargaining agent” means any lawful association, fraternal organization, labor organization, federation or council having as one of its purposes the improvement of wages, hours and other conditions of employment among employees of Rural Fire Protection Districts;

2. "Board" means the Public Employees Relations Board;

3. “Collective bargaining” means the performance of the mutual obligation of the Rural Fire Protection District employer or the employer’s designated representatives and the representative of the employees to meet at reasonable times, including meetings appropriately related to the budget making process; to confer in good faith with respect to wages, hours and other conditions of employment, or the negotiation of an agreement, or any question arising hereunder; and to execute a written contract incorporating any agreement reached if requested by either party. Such obligation shall not, however, compel either party to agree to a proposal or require the making of a concession;

4. “Corporate authorities” means the Board of Directors of any Rural Fire Protection District whose duty or duties it is to establish the wages, salaries, rates of pay, hours, working conditions and other terms and conditions of employment of firefighters;

5. “Firefighters” means the permanent paid members of any Rural Fire Protection District within the State of Oklahoma but shall not include the chief of the rural fire department and an administrative assistant;

6. “Strike” means the concerted failure to report for duty, the willful absence from one’s position, unauthorized holidays, sickness unsubstantiated by a physician’s statement, the stoppage of work, or the abstinence in whole or in part from the full, faithful and proper performance of the duties of employment, for the purpose of including, influencing or coercing a change in the conditions, compensation, rights, privileges or obligations of employment. Nothing contained in this act shall be construed to limit, impair or affect the right of any public employee to the expression or communication of a view, grievance, complaint or opinion on any matter related to the conditions or compensation of public employment or their betterment, so long as the same does not interfere with the full, faithful and proper performance of the duties of employment; and

7. “Unfair labor practices” for the purpose of this act shall be deemed to include, but not be limited to, the following acts and conduct:

a.action by corporate authorities:

(1)interfering with, restraining, intimidating or coercing employees in the exercise of the rights guaranteed them by this act,

(2)dominating or interfering with the formation, existence or administration of any employee organization or bargaining agent,

(3)interfering in any manner whatsoever with the process of selection by firefighters of their respective bargaining agents or attempting to influence, coerce or intimidate individuals in such selection,

(4)discharging or otherwise disciplining or discriminating against a firefighter because he or she has signed or filed any affidavit, petition or complaint or has given any information or testimony under this act or because of an election to be represented by the bargaining agent,

(5)refusing to bargain collectively or discuss grievances in good faith with the designated bargaining agent with respect to any issue coming within the purview of this act, or

(6)instituting or attempting to institute a lockout.

b.action by bargaining agent:

(1)interfering with, restraining, intimidating or coercing employees in the exercise of the rights guaranteed them by this act,

(2)interfering with or attempting to coerce the corporate authorities in the selection of their representatives for the purposes of collective bargaining or the adjustment of grievances, or

(3)refusing to bargain collectively or discuss grievances in good faith with the proper corporate authorities with respect to any issue coming within the purview of this act.

Added by Laws 2003, c. 136, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2003.