<section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-101" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Mediation or Arbitration of Labor Dispute"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Board” means a board of arbitration formed under this subtitle to settle a labor dispute.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Labor and Industry.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Mediation Service” means the State Mediation and Conciliation Service.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-102" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Mediation or Arbitration of Labor Dispute"> <level label="a"> <text>This subtitle does not preclude or otherwise affect any agreement for arbitration of a dispute in a manner different from that for which this subtitle provides, whether the agreement is made by the disputants directly or through persons who have written authorization to do so.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This subtitle does not affect any provision of the Maryland Uniform Arbitration Act.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-103" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Mediation or Arbitration of Labor Dispute"> <level label="a"> <text>Under the supervision of the Commissioner, the Mediation Service shall carry out this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Commissioner may assign staff to help the Chief Mediator to carry out this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Commissioner may charge a fee to cover the cost of providing services requested under this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-104" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Mediation or Arbitration of Labor Dispute"> <text>To the extent possible, the Mediation Service shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>promote voluntary mediation or arbitration of disputes between employers and employees; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>discourage resort to a legal proceeding or to a blacklist, boycott, discrimination, or lockout in or arising out of a dispute between employers and employees.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-105" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Mediation or Arbitration of Labor Dispute"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to the approval of the Governor, the Mediation Service may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>appoint a board of arbitration to settle a dispute; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>provide:</text> <level label="i"> <text>as the Mediation Service considers proper, for compensation of up to $5 for each day that a member of a board is engaged in its duties; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>for other necessary expenses of a board.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Chief Mediator may serve on a board.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-106" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Mediation or Arbitration of Labor Dispute"> <level label="a"> <text>To the same extent as a court of the State in a civil case, the Mediation Service or a board may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>conduct an investigation;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>hold hearings;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>administer oaths; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>issue a subpoena for the attendance of a witness to testify or the production of books, papers, and other documents.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>If a person fails to comply with a subpoena issued under this section, on petition of the Mediation Service or board, a circuit court may compel compliance with the subpoena.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A board shall petition the circuit court for the county where the board is meeting.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-107" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Mediation or Arbitration of Labor Dispute"> <level label="a"> <text>Documents and testimony obtained under this subtitle shall be kept in the offices of the Mediation Service.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Information that the Commissioner, the Mediation Service, or a member of a board obtains under this subtitle is confidential, if the information:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is of a personal nature;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>relates to the private business of a person; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>may disclose the profits or methods for doing business of a person.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-108" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Mediation or Arbitration of Labor Dispute"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies to a dispute only if the employer involved in the dispute has at least 10 employees.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Whenever a disputant or other reliable source informs the Mediation Service that a dispute might result in a lockout or strike, the Mediation Service:</text> <level label="1"> <text>may investigate and try to mediate the dispute; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>if the Mediation Service is unable to mediate, may try to obtain the consent of the disputants for formation of a board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Whenever the Mediation Service is unable to mediate a dispute and a disputant refuses consent for formation of a board or for arbitration by the Chief Mediator, the Mediation Service shall investigate thoroughly the cause of the dispute.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In an investigation under this subsection, the Mediation Service may depose a disputant.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>After an investigation under this subsection, the Mediation Service:</text> <level label="i"> <text>shall decide which disputant is mainly responsible or blameworthy for continuance of the dispute; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>over the official signature of the Commissioner or Chief Mediator, shall publish in a daily newspaper a report that assigns responsibility or blame for the continuance of the dispute.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-109" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Mediation or Arbitration of Labor Dispute"> <level label="a"> <text>The Mediation Service or a board shall make and publish findings about a dispute for settlement of the dispute.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A determination and award of a board is final and binds the disputants.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-110" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Mediation or Arbitration of Labor Dispute"> <text>Within 5 days after the National Labor Relations Board or other public or private unit certifies or recognizes a bargaining representative, the bargaining representative shall submit to the Mediation Service a report that contains:</text> <level label="1"> <text>notice of the certification or recognition;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the name and address of the employer;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the total number of employees in the business establishment;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the total number of employees in the bargaining unit; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>if known, the date on which negotiations to establish a collective bargaining agreement are to begin.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-111" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Mediation or Arbitration of Labor Dispute"> <text>On or before January 10 of each year, each bargaining representative shall submit to the Mediation Service a report that states, for each collective bargaining agreement that is to terminate during the year:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the name and address of the employer;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the total number of employees in the business establishment;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the total number of employees in the bargaining unit; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the date on which the collective bargaining agreement terminates.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-201" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Choice of Bargaining Representative"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Labor and Industry.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Consent election” means an election that is conducted under a consent election agreement and in accordance with Part II of this subtitle to determine a bargaining representative.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Mediation Service” means the State Mediation and Conciliation Service.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-202" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Choice of Bargaining Representative"> <level label="a"> <text>Under the supervision of the Commissioner, the Mediation Service shall carry out this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Commissioner may assign staff to help the Chief Mediator to carry out this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-203" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Choice of Bargaining Representative"> <text>To the extent practicable, procedural regulations that the Commissioner adopts to carry out Parts I through III of this subtitle shall conform to the procedural regulations of the National Labor Relations Board for the conduct of consent elections, intervention, and decertification.</text> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-206" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Choice of Bargaining Representative"> <level label="a"> <text>In this Part II of this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Challenged ballot” means the ballot of an individual whose eligibility to vote in a consent election is challenged.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Petition” means a petition for permission to enter into an agreement under which the Mediation Service will conduct a consent election.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-207" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Choice of Bargaining Representative"> <level label="a"> <text>A labor organization or individual that purports to represent a substantial number of employees whom a petition affects and an employer may submit to the Mediation Service a petition for permission to enter into a consent election agreement leading to a determination by the Mediation Service of the facts ascertained after the consent election.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A petition shall be in the form that the Mediation Service requires.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Whenever a petition is submitted in accordance with subsections (a) and (b) of this section, the Mediation Service shall set a period during which a labor organization may submit an objection to the petition.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Mediation Service shall set a period that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>is sufficient to inform interested persons about the nature and purpose of the petition; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>does not expire until at least 1 week after the date on which the Mediation Service causes notice of the petition to be posted.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The Mediation Service shall cause notice of a petition to be posted, at each place of employment that the petition affects, for the period set under subsection (c) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The notice shall state that a labor organization may object to the petition within the period set under subsection (c) of this section.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-208" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Choice of Bargaining Representative"> <level label="a"> <text>Unless the Mediation Service receives a timely objection to a petition, the Mediation Service shall approve the petition to enter into a consent election agreement.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Mediation Service shall investigate each timely objection to a petition from a labor organization that purports to represent a substantial number of employees whom the petition affects.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If, after the investigation, the Mediation Service determines that the labor organization seems to represent a substantial number of employees whom the petition affects, the Mediation Service shall place the name of the labor organization on the official ballot to be used in the consent election.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-209" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Choice of Bargaining Representative"> <text>Each consent election agreement shall describe:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the appropriate bargaining unit for the consent election;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the payroll period to be used to determine the employees within the appropriate bargaining unit who are eligible to vote; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the date, time, and place of the consent election.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-210" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Choice of Bargaining Representative"> <level label="a"> <text>The Mediation Service shall conduct each consent election by secret ballot.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>If at least two labor organizations are to be on the ballot for a consent election, a labor organization promptly may ask the Mediation Service to allow its name to be removed from the ballot.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A decision of the Mediation Service under this subsection is final.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Subject to any limitation that the Mediation Service sets, each party to a consent election may designate one or more observers to represent the party during the consent election.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>For good cause, a party to a consent election or the Mediation Service may challenge the eligibility of an individual to vote in the consent election.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Mediation Service shall impound each challenged ballot.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-211" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Choice of Bargaining Representative"> <text>On conclusion of a consent election, the Mediation Service shall provide each party to the consent election with a tally of ballots.</text> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-212" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Choice of Bargaining Representative"> <text>The Mediation Service:</text> <level label="1"> <text>shall determine whether the number of challenged ballots is sufficient to affect the result of the consent election; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>if the number is sufficient, shall investigate the eligibility of each individual whose ballot was challenged.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-213" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Choice of Bargaining Representative"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Within 5 days after the Mediation Service provides the tally of ballots for a consent election, a party to the consent election may object to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the conduct of the consent election; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>other conduct affecting the result of the consent election.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A party shall object in a timely manner, even if the number of challenged ballots is not sufficient to affect the result of the consent election.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An objection under this section shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>be in writing; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>state concisely each reason for the objection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Each party who makes an objection shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>submit to the Mediation Service:</text> <level label="i"> <text>4 copies of the objection; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>proof of service under item (2) of this subsection; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>serve immediately a copy of the objection on each other party.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Mediation Service shall investigate each objection submitted in accordance with this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-214" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Choice of Bargaining Representative"> <text>After investigation of a consent election under § 4-212 or § 4-213 of this subtitle, the Mediation Service shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>prepare a report, including any recommendation, on the investigation; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>serve the report on each party to the consent election.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-215" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Choice of Bargaining Representative"> <level label="a"> <text>Within 10 days after the Mediation Service issues a report on a challenged ballot or objection under § 4-214 of this subtitle, a party to the consent election may make an exception to the report.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Each party who makes an exception shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>submit to the Mediation Service:</text> <level label="i"> <text>4 copies of the exception; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>proof of service under item (2) of this subsection; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>serve immediately a copy of the exception on each other party.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-216" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Choice of Bargaining Representative"> <level label="a"> <text>Whenever the Mediation Service receives a timely exception to a report on a challenged ballot or an objection, the Mediation Service shall determine whether the exception raises a substantial and material issue with respect to the conduct or result of the consent election.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>If the Mediation Service determines that an exception raises a substantial and material issue, the Mediation Service may hold a hearing on the exception.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Mediation Service shall serve notice of the hearing on each party.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-217" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Choice of Bargaining Representative"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Unless a run-off election is to be held or an investigation is to be made under § 4-212 or § 4-213 of this subtitle, immediately after the period for filing an objection has passed, the Mediation Service shall certify to each party to a consent election the result of the consent election.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If a labor organization wins a consent election, the certification of the result of the consent election shall include a certification of the organization as bargaining representative.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The rulings and determinations of the Mediation Service under this subsection are final.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Unless the Mediation Service certifies the result in accordance with subsection (a) of this section or receives a timely exception under § 4-215 of this subtitle that, the Mediation Service determines, raises a substantial and material issue with respect to the conduct or result of a consent election, the Mediation Service immediately shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>decide the matter on the record; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>dispose otherwise of the case.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-220" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Choice of Bargaining Representative"> <level label="a"> <text>An employee, an employer, or a labor organization may submit to the Mediation Service a petition for decertification of an organization that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the Mediation Service has certified as a bargaining representative after a consent election; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>an employer currently recognizes as the bargaining representative without a consent election.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A petition for decertification of an organization as bargaining representative for a bargaining unit:</text> <level label="1"> <text>shall be supported by at least 30% of the employees in the bargaining unit; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>may not be submitted within 1 year after certification of the bargaining representative as a result of a consent election.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The Mediation Service shall investigate each petition submitted in accordance with this section to determine whether there is reasonable doubt that the bargaining representative in fact represents a majority of the employees in the bargaining unit.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If, after the investigation, the Mediation Service determines that there is reasonable doubt, the Mediation Service shall order an election to resolve the issue.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-301" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Injunctions"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Injunctive relief” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a permanent injunction;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a temporary injunction; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a temporary restraining order.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Labor dispute” includes any controversy, regardless of whether the disputants stand in the proximate relation of employee or employer, concerning:</text> <level label="1"> <text>terms or conditions of employment;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>employment relations;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the association or representation of persons in negotiating, setting, maintaining, or changing terms or conditions of employment; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>any other controversy arising out of the respective interests of employee or employer.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Person participating or interested in a labor dispute” means a person against whom relief is sought if the person:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is engaged in the industry, craft, trade, or occupation in which the dispute occurs; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>is an agent, member, or officer of an association of employees or employers engaged in the industry, craft, trade, or occupation in which the dispute occurs.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-302" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Injunctions"> <level label="a"> <text>The General Assembly finds that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>governmental authority has allowed and encouraged employers to organize in corporate and other forms of capital control; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>in dealing with these employers, an individual worker who is not represented by an organization is helpless to exercise liberty of contract or to protect personal freedom of labor and, thus, to obtain acceptable terms and conditions of employment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The policy of the State is that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>negotiation of terms and conditions of employment should result from voluntary agreement between employees and employer; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>therefore, each individual worker must be:</text> <level label="i"> <text>fully free to associate, organize, and designate a representative, as the worker chooses, for negotiation of terms and conditions of employment; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>free from coercion, interference, or restraint by an employer or an agent of an employer in:</text> <level label="1"> <text>designation of a representative;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>self-organization; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>other concerted activity for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-303" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Injunctions"> <text>This subtitle shall be interpreted and applied in accordance with the policy stated in § 4-302 of this subtitle.</text> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-304" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Injunctions"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “promise” means any undertaking, whether express or implied or oral or written.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A promise made between an employee or prospective employee and an employer, prospective employer, or any other individual, association, company, corporation, or firm is against the policy of the State if the promise requires either party:</text> <level label="1"> <text>to join or remain a member of an employer or labor organization;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>not to join or not to remain a member of an employer or labor organization; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>to withdraw from an employment relation if the party joins or remains a member of an employer or labor organization.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A court may not grant, on the basis of a promise described in this section, any relief against:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a party to the promise; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>another person who, without the act or threat of fraud or violence, advises, induces, or urges a party to disregard the promise.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-307" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Injunctions"> <text>A court does not have jurisdiction to grant injunctive relief that specifically or generally:</text> <level label="1"> <text>prohibits a person from ceasing or refusing to perform work or to remain in a relation of employment, regardless of a promise to do the work or to remain in the relation;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>prohibits a person from becoming or remaining a member of an employer organization or labor organization, regardless of a promise described in § 4–304 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>prohibits a person from paying or giving to, or withholding from, another person any thing of value, including money or strike or unemployment benefits or insurance;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>prohibits a person from helping, by lawful means, another person to bring or defend against an action in a court of any state or the United States;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>prohibits a person from publicizing or obtaining or communicating information about the existence of or a fact involved in a labor dispute by any method that does not involve the act or threat of a breach of the peace, fraud, or violence, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>advertising;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>speaking; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>patrolling, with intimidation or coercion, a public street or other place where a person lawfully may be;</text> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <text>prohibits a person from ceasing:</text> <level label="i"> <text>to patronize another person; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>to employ another person;</text> </level> </level> <level label="7"> <text>prohibits a person from assembling peaceably to do or to organize an act listed in items (1) through (6) of this section;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>prohibits a person from advising or giving another person notice of an intent to do an act listed in items (1) through (7) of this section;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>prohibits a person from agreeing with another person to do or not to do an act listed in items (1) through (8) of this section;</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>prohibits a person from advising, inducing, or urging another person, without the act or threat of fraud or violence, to do an act listed in items (1) through (9) of this section, regardless of a promise described in § 4–304 of this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>on the ground that the persons are engaged in an unlawful conspiracy, prohibits a person from doing an act listed in items (1) through (10) of this section in concert with another person.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-310" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Injunctions"> <text>A case shall be held to involve or grow out of a labor dispute when the case involves:</text> <level label="1"> <text>persons who are engaged in a single industry, trade, craft, or occupation, employees of the same employer, or members of the same or an affiliated organization of employees or employers, regardless of whether the dispute is between:</text> <level label="i"> <text>1 or more employees or associations of employees and 1 or more employers or associations of employers;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>1 or more employees or associations of employees and 1 or more employees or associations of employees; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>1 or more employers or associations of employers and 1 or more employers or associations of employers; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a conflicting or competing interest in a labor dispute of a person participating or interested in the labor dispute.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-311" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Injunctions"> <text>The General Assembly finds that a procedure that allows a plaintiff to obtain sweeping injunctive relief without giving to each defendant notice of and a hearing based wholly or partly on examination and cross-examination of witnesses in open court, rather than on affidavits alone, is peculiarly subject to abuse in later litigation because:</text> <level label="1"> <text>injunctive relief necessarily alters, rather than maintains, the status quo;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>determination of issues of veracity and of probability of fact from affidavits of the opposing parties that are contradictory and, under the circumstances, untrustworthy rather than from oral examination in open court is subject to grave error;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>erroneous issuance of injunctive relief usually is irreparable to the defendant; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>delay incident to appeals frequently makes ultimate correction of error unavailing in a particular case.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-312" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Injunctions"> <text>This Part III of this subtitle shall be interpreted and applied in accordance with the policy stated in § 4-311 of this subtitle.</text> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-313" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Injunctions"> <level label="a"> <text>A court may not grant injunctive relief in a labor dispute:</text> <level label="1"> <text>if the plaintiff has failed to comply with each obligation imposed by law that is involved in the labor dispute; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, if the plaintiff has failed to make every reasonable effort to settle the labor dispute:</text> <level label="i"> <text>by negotiation; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>with the help of available dispute resolution mechanisms, governmental mediation, or voluntary arbitration.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If irreparable injury is threatened, a court may grant injunctive relief before another tribunal acts to settle the labor dispute.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-314" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Injunctions"> <text>In addition to any other limitation under this Part III of this subtitle, a court may not issue a temporary or permanent injunction in a case that involves or grows out of a labor dispute unless:</text> <level label="1"> <text>each known person against whom relief is sought and each public officer who has a duty to protect the property of the plaintiff is given, in the manner that the court directs, personal notice that the court will hold a hearing on issuance of a temporary or permanent injunction;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>at the hearing, the court takes, in open court, testimony offered against the temporary or permanent injunction and affords the opportunity for cross-examination; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>as a result of the hearing, the court finds that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>an unlawful act:</text> <level label="1"> <text>has been threatened and, unless restrained, will be committed; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>has been committed and, unless restrained, will be continued;</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>unless it grants the relief requested, the property of the plaintiff will be injured substantially and irreparably;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>greater injury will be inflicted on the plaintiff for each item of relief that the court denies than will be inflicted on the defendant if the court grants the item;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>it is not granting any item of relief for which a court lacks jurisdiction under § 4-307 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>the plaintiff has no adequate remedy at law; and</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>each public officer who has a duty to protect the property of the plaintiff has failed or is unable to give adequate protection.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-315" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Injunctions"> <level label="a"> <text>If, in addition to meeting the requirements for an injunction under § 4-314 of this subtitle, a plaintiff alleges that, unless a temporary restraining order is issued before a court holds a hearing on issuance of other injunctive relief in a case that involves or grows out of a labor dispute, substantial and irreparable injury to the property of the plaintiff is unavoidable, the court may issue a temporary restraining order in accordance with this section.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The court shall pass a show cause order that gives each party whom the plaintiff seeks to have restrained a reasonable period of at least 48 hours in which to show cause why the court should not issue a temporary restraining order.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A show cause order shall be served on each party whom the plaintiff seeks to have restrained as provided in the show cause order.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>On expiration of the period to show cause, the court may issue a temporary restraining order if on the basis of testimony or, in the discretion of the court, an affidavit, the court finds that issuance of a temporary injunction would be justified if a hearing were held.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>A temporary restraining order issued under this section is effective for the period that the court sets but not more than 5 days.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If a hearing for a temporary injunction begins before the expiration of the period set under this subsection, the court may continue the temporary restraining order until the court decides whether to issue the temporary injunction.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Unless the court continues a temporary restraining order in accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection, then on expiration of the period set under this subsection, the order is void and may not be renewed or extended.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-316" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Injunctions"> <level label="a"> <text>Before a court issues a temporary restraining order or temporary injunction in a case that involves or grows out of a labor dispute, the plaintiff shall post bond with the court.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Bond under this section shall be in an amount sufficient to compensate each person who is enjoined for any loss, expense, or damages that improvident or erroneous issuance of the temporary restraining order or temporary injunction causes.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The amount shall include reasonable counsel fees and other reasonable costs that a defendant incurs in defending against other injunctive relief in the same case if the court denies the injunctive relief.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Bond under this section signifies an agreement between the plaintiff and surety to submit to the jurisdiction of the court for the purpose of being liable on the bond.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>This section does not prevent a party who has a claim on or under a bond from bringing an action to pursue an ordinary remedy in court.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-317" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Injunctions"> <level label="a"> <text>A court may not grant injunctive relief in a case that involves or grows out of a labor dispute until the court makes and files, in the record of the case, findings of fact.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Injunctive relief in a case that involves or grows out of a labor dispute shall prohibit an act only if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the complaint in the labor case expressly complains of the specific act; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the findings of fact expressly include the specific act.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Injunctive relief in a case that involves or grows out of a labor dispute is binding only on a person:</text> <level label="1"> <text>who receives, by personal service or otherwise, actual notice of the injunctive relief; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>who is:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a party to the case;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>an agent or employee of a party or lawyer who represents a party; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a person in active concert and participation with a party.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-318" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Injunctions"> <text>A party may appeal to the Appellate Court of Maryland from the issuance or denial of a temporary injunction in a case that involves or grows out of a labor dispute.</text> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-321" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Injunctions"> <text>An organization or officer or member of an organization participating or interested in a labor dispute has immunity from liability in accordance with § 5-414 of the Courts Article.</text> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-322" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Injunctions"> <level label="a"> <text>A person who is charged with constructive criminal contempt for a violation of injunctive relief in a case that involves or grows out of a labor dispute is entitled:</text> <level label="1"> <text>to pretrial release as provided for defendants in criminal cases;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>to notice of the accusation;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>to a reasonable time to make a defense; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>except for an officer of the court who is charged with disobedience, misbehavior, or other misconduct in respect to process of the court, on demand, to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury from the judicial district where the contempt is alleged to have been committed.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Whenever the charge of constructive criminal contempt arises from an attack on the character or conduct of a judge, the defendant is entitled to recusal of the judge if the defendant files a demand for recusal before the hearing on the charge.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Whenever a defendant files a timely demand for recusal:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the judge may not proceed further; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the presiding judge of the court shall designate another judge as a replacement.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>A person who is guilty of constructive criminal contempt in a labor case is subject to a fine not exceeding $100 or imprisonment not exceeding 15 days or both.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A person who is imprisoned for failure to pay a fine imposed under this subsection shall be discharged:</text> <level label="i"> <text>after 15 days; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>if also imprisoned for a definite period, 15 days after the end of the period.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-401" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Acts"> <level label="a"> <text>Each employer who, under a collective bargaining agreement, deducts dues from an employee’s pay for payment to a union shall make the payment within 30 days after it is required.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Each employer or union official who, under a collective bargaining or other agreement with an employee, agrees to make a payment into a health or welfare fund, a pension fund, a vacation plan, or any other similar fund or plan for employees shall make the payment within 30 days after it is required.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>An employer or union official who knowingly fails to make a payment under subsection (a) or (b) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or both.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the employer is a corporation, each corporate officer who exercises executive functions is guilty of a misdemeanor.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-402" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Acts"> <level label="a"> <text>This section does not apply to a refusal to leave property based on a bona fide claim of ownership of or other right to the property.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An employee or former employee may not remain on property that is under the legal control of an employer after the employer or an agent of the employer gives the employee or former employee notice to leave if remaining deprives or is intended to deprive the employer of the substantial control, possession, or use of the property.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person who violates any provision of subsection (b) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $50.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>An organization that is responsible for a violation of this section is liable financially to the owner of the property for the loss of revenue or from damage that results from the violation.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-403" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Acts"> <level label="a"> <text>A person who is not directly interested in a strike may not provide, obtain, recruit, or refer, for employment in place of a striker, an individual who customarily and repeatedly offers to be employed in place of strikers.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An individual who customarily and repeatedly offers to be employed in place of strikers may not take or offer to take the position of a striker.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or both.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-404" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Acts"> <level label="a"> <text>If commission of an act by one person is not an offense, an agreement between two or more persons to do or to bring about the act in contemplation or furtherance of a trade dispute between an employer and a worker is not indictable as conspiracy.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This section does not affect any law that relates to disturbance of the public peace, riot, unlawful assembly, or an offense against a person or property.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-405" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Acts"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Federal Act” means the federal National Labor Relations Act.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Labor organization” has the meaning stated in § 152 of the Federal Act.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“Supervisor” has the meaning stated in § 152 of the Federal Act.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An employer in the State may not allow the formation of an organization or entity in the workplace:</text> <level label="1"> <text>that is initiated through action of the employer or the employees of the employer and established through mutual consent of the employer and any number of employees;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>in which supervisors and employee members participate to address or negotiate working conditions of mutual interest, including the employees’ quality of work, productivity, efficiency, compensation, benefits, recruitment, retention, grievances, child care, safety, health, or accommodation of religious beliefs and practices;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>that may be dissolved unilaterally by the employer; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>that, through any federal action occurring on or after January 1, 2026, is, in whole or in part, expressly exempt from or otherwise not subject to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the Federal Act; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the jurisdiction of the National Labor Relations Board.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>This section may not be construed to preclude:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the formation of a labor organization that is subject to the Federal Act and the jurisdiction of the National Labor Relations Board;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>certification as an exclusive representative under the Federal Act; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the formation of a committee or governance structure required for accreditation or designation by a state or national organization.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-501" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Employment Rights for Public Safety Officers"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Employee” means a fire, EMS, paramedic, or rescue employee hired or compensated by the employer.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Employee organization” means any organization of employees that, as one of its primary purposes, represents fire, EMS, paramedic, or rescue personnel.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Employer” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a charter county;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Charles County; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a municipal corporation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“EMS” means emergency medical services.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Exclusive representative” means an employee organization that has been certified through an election of eligible employees to represent and bargain for those employees over any terms and conditions of employment.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-502" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Employment Rights for Public Safety Officers"> <text>Each employer covered by this subtitle shall have the authority to enact a local law or ordinance to permit voluntary collective bargaining between the employer and any employee organization that the employer has recognized as an exclusive representative of its employees.</text> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-503" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Employment Rights for Public Safety Officers"> <text>Once authorized by a local law or ordinance, collective bargaining between an employer covered by this subtitle and an exclusive representative may include in a memorandum of understanding between the employer and the employee organization specific terms and conditions of employment.</text> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-504" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Employment Rights for Public Safety Officers"> <text>Subject to provisions concerning budgetary and fiscal procedures contained in the employer’s charter or, with respect to Charles County, local law, regulation, or policy, if ratified or approved by a legislative enactment of the employer, and if signed by the chief executive officer of the employer, a memorandum of understanding between the employer and an exclusive representative shall bind the employer for the period of time which is provided in the agreement.</text> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-505" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Employment Rights for Public Safety Officers"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to subsection (b) of this section, this subtitle only applies to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>each charter county that engaged in collective bargaining with an employee organization prior to October 1, 1994;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Charles County on or after October 1, 2017; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>each municipal corporation that engages in collective bargaining with an employee organization prior to October 1, 1995.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This subtitle may not be construed to repeal or limit any local charter provision that extends collective bargaining rights to employees of employers and, if a local charter authorizes or grants collective bargaining rights to any employees, the provisions of this subtitle do not apply.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>This subtitle may not be construed to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>require any form of collective bargaining;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>require any method, means, or scope of bargaining between an employer and an exclusive representative; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>authorize binding interest arbitration.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-601" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Firefighters and Emergency Medical Personnel -- Right to Judicial Review"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>“Employee” means a fire, emergency medical services, paramedic, rescue, or support employee hired and compensated by a county or municipal corporation or a unit of a county or municipal corporation.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Employee” does not include an employee who is on probationary status upon entry into a fire fighting, rescue, paramedic, or emergency medical services agency.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>“Final decision” means a final disciplinary decision of a personnel board, trial board, civil service commission, or statutorily established review board by which an employee is suspended for not less than 30 consecutive days or is terminated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Final decision” does not include a decision reached through arbitration under a collective bargaining agreement.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-602" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Firefighters and Emergency Medical Personnel -- Right to Judicial Review"> <level label="a"> <text>An employee, county, or municipal corporation aggrieved by a final decision may obtain judicial review of that decision through an appeal filed in a circuit court of appropriate venue.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An appeal under subsection (a) of this section shall be taken in accordance with Maryland Rules 7–201 through 7–210.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Any party that is aggrieved by a final judgment of a circuit court under this subtitle may appeal to the Appellate Court of Maryland in the manner provided by law.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>In an appeal under subsection (a) of this section, the circuit court may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>remand the case for further proceedings;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>affirm the final decision; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>reverse or modify the decision if any substantial right of the petitioner may have been prejudiced because a finding, conclusion, or decision:</text> <level label="i"> <text>is unconstitutional;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>exceeds the statutory authority or jurisdiction of the final decision maker;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>results from an unlawful practice;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>is affected by any other error of law;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>is unsupported by competent, material, and substantial evidence in light of the entire record as submitted; or</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>is arbitrary and capricious.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="4-603" title_number="4" title_name="Bargaining Representatives; Labor Disputes" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Firefighters and Emergency Medical Personnel -- Right to Judicial Review"> <text>An employee may elect to exercise the rights available under the collective bargaining agreement as an alternative to the right to a judicial review provided under this subtitle.</text> </section>