Fresno County court reporters strike ends

A strike by Fresno County court reporters and a lawsuit by the superior court against the union has resulted in a new labor agreement for the workers.

Local 521, which represents the 275-member court reporters union and had been on strike since Jan. 15, returned to work this week after agreeing to a new contract restoring full-time hours.

On Jan. 18, a judge brought in from Tulare County granted a temporary restraining order enjoining a portion of the reporters who went on strike.

The Fresno County Superior Court sued the union claiming it violated an agreement in which it was to provide eight union-represented, certified court reporters during any strike between Jan. 15 and Feb. 15.

However, the suit said five of those eight reporters walked off the job two days after the strike commenced. Superior Court of California, County of Fresno v. Service Employees International Union, Local 521 (Fresno Super. Ct., filed Jan. 17, 2019).

Judge Bret D. Hillman enforced the stipulated agreement on Friday, according to Felix De La Torre, general counsel for the California Public Employment Relations Board.

Suzanne Price of Wiley Price & Radulovich LLP, who filed the temporary restraining order motion against the strike, did not respond to a request for comment.

The lawsuit alleged many court matters were in danger of being adversely affected, such as criminal matters and those being held involuntarily in a mental health facility for more than 72 hours who could petition for release.

"If deadlines are not met, the consequences may include dismissal of criminal complaints resulting in the release of those the county has charged as committing crimes punishable under the Penal Code," the complaint read.

The court had been unable to secure contract work during the strike, according to the complaint.

"The strike against the court is unlawful under the common law because it hinders, delays, and interferes with the court's duties and obligations to administer justice and to provide essential services," the complaint said.

The court system has 43 judges and six commissioners in six locations.