280 City Workers Win Union in Broken Arrow, Okla.

After more than two years and a favorable decision by the state Supreme Court, 280 employees of the City of Broken Arrow, Okla., have won representation by CWA Local 6012 in nearby Tulsa. The state Public Employee Relations Board certified their card check majority on Dec. 14.

In 2004, CWA and AFSCME supported collective bargaining legislation to cover Oklahoma public workers, said District 6 Organizing Coordinator Sandy Rusher. A law was passed giving bargaining rights to workers in cities with populations over 35,000, such as Broken Arrow (p. 100,000), but excluding smaller towns, which set up a legal challenge.

"The case ultimately went to the Oklahoma Supreme Court and the legislation was ruled to be unconstitutional as a 'special law,' since it only covered certain cities," Rusher said. "However, in a surprise reversal, the court this year reviewed its decision and determined the law was constitutional, allowing the local to move forward."

The workers had already formed an organizing committee and originally built a majority in Nov. 2004, so the court reversal allowed them to quickly seek representation. "Local Organizer Jon Kirby and the officers of Local 6012 continued to work with the committee and have never given up," Rusher said.