(A) Employees have the right to participate on behalf of, or engage in activities on behalf of, a Public Safety Sworn Employee Organization during non-working times, and have the right to refrain from such activities. Employees shall be free from any interference, restraint, or coercion with respect to the exercise of these rights.

(B) Violations of the rights described above may result in disciplinary action to an employee, up to and including discharge. Violations of these rights by officials, officers or agents of a Public Safety Sworn Employee Organization and/or organization seeking Certification under this article also may result in Decertification of the Public Safety Sworn Employee Organization and/or disqualification from the Certification process by the City Manager.

(C) There can be only one Certified Public Safety Sworn Employee Organization for each Employee Group for purposes of the Meet and Discuss/Meet and Confer process. Nothing in this document will prohibit any employee from exercising any rights the employee may have to meet with the City Manager or other City official consistent with personnel rules and regulations or any City Manager policies or directives. The City Manager will maintain an "open door" policy regarding communications with employees and will use a variety of resources to actively and regularly communicate with employees. Employees are encouraged to communicate directly with the City Manager throughout the year.

(D) Meeting and Discussing/Meeting and Conferring will be conducted through the defined process with the City Manager or designee. Violation of this process may result in Decertification by the City Manager. (Ord. 11-1249, passed 10-24-2011; Am. Ord. 22-1558, passed 9-26-2022)