§ 1638. Prevention of unfair practices

(a) The Board may prevent the State or a labor organization from engaging in any unfair labor practice listed in section 1637 of this title. Whenever a charge is made that the State or a labor organization has engaged in or is engaging in any unfair labor practice, the Board may issue and cause to be served upon that party a complaint stating the charges in that respect and containing a notice of hearing before the Board at a place and time therein fixed at least seven days after the complaint is served. The Board may amend the complaint at any time before it issues an order based thereon. No complaint shall issue based on any unfair labor practice occurring more than six months prior to the filing of the charge with the Board and the service of a copy thereof upon the party against whom such charge is made, unless the person aggrieved thereby was prevented from filing the charge by reason of service in the U.S. Armed Forces, in which event the six-month period shall be computed from the day of his or her discharge.

(b) The party complained of shall have the right to file an answer to the original or amended complaint and appear in person or otherwise and present evidence in connection therewith at the time and place fixed in the complaint. In the discretion of the Board, any other person may be permitted to intervene and present evidence in the matter. Any proceeding under this section shall, so far as practicable, be conducted in accordance with rules of evidence used in the courts. The Board shall provide for the making of a transcript of the testimony presented at the hearing.

(c) The Board shall have power to administer oaths and take testimony under oath relative to the matter of inquiry. At any hearing ordered by the Board, the Board shall have the power to subpoena witnesses and to demand the production of books, papers, records, and documents for its examination. Officers who serve subpoenas issued by the Board and witnesses attending hearings conducted by the Board shall receive fees and compensation at the same rates as officers and witnesses in causes before a Criminal Division of the Superior Court, to be paid on vouchers of the Board.

(d) If upon the preponderance of the evidence, the Board finds that any party named in the complaint has engaged in or is engaging in any such unfair labor practice, it shall state its finding of fact in writing and shall issue and cause to be served on that party an order requiring him or her to cease and desist from the unfair labor practice, and to take such affirmative action as will carry out the policies of this chapter. If upon the preponderance of the evidence, the Board does not find that the party named in the complaint has engaged in or is engaging in any unfair labor practice, it shall state its findings of fact in writing and dismiss the complaint.

(e) In determining whether a complaint shall issue alleging a violation of subsection 1637(b) or (c) of this title, and in deciding those cases, the same regulations and rules of decision shall apply irrespective of whether or not a labor organization affected is affiliated with a labor organization national or international in scope. (Added 2013, No. 48, § 1, eff. May 24, 2013.)