Public Employees Relations Commission

The Commission
Pursuant to Chapter 447, Part II, Florida Statutes, the Public Employees Relations Commission (PERC) consists of three commissioners appointed by the governor for over lapping terms of four years, subject to Senate confirmation. One of the commissioner positions is designated as Chair. The Chair of PERC serves as chief executive and administrative officer of the agency.

Members of the Commission
Chair Stephanie Williams Ray
Commissioner Jessica E. Varn
Commissioner John M. Delgado

Overview
PERC employs 10 hearing officers who are licensed attorneys with more than five years experience. The hearing officers hold hearings throughout the state on labor and employment disputes. PERC and its staff review hearing officers' recommendations. PERC issues a final order, which may be appealed directly to the District Courts of Appeal.

Labor Cases
Public employees in the State of Florida have the constitutional right to collectively bargain. "Public employees" means employees of the state, counties, school boards, municipalities and special taxing districts. This includes all fire, police, corrections, school teachers and support personnel, medical personnel, state troopers, toll collectors, sanitation employees and clerical, etc. There are approximately 400,000 public employees of bargaining units throughout the State of Florida. The Commission holds hearings and resolves disputes about the composition of bargaining units and alleged unfair labor practices.

Employment Cases
PERC monitors the career service system in the State of Florida. There are state employees who have civil service privileges under the Florida Constitution concerning discipline, such as discharge, demotion and suspensions, etc. They have the right to appeal these actions to the commission, which will appoint a hearing officer to hold an evidentiary hearing to determine if there was cause for the discipline and, in certain cases, whether the discipline should be mitigated. In addition, PERC exercises jurisdiction over other employment cases, including; veterans preference appeals pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes; drug-free workplace act appeals pursuant to Section 112.0455, Florida Statutes; age discrimination appeals pursuant to Section 112.044, Florida Statutes; and whistle blower act appeals pursuant to Section 112.31895, Florida Statutes.

PERC has an Elections division. This division conducts elections when public employees express the desire to be represented by a union.

PERC registers Unions, qualifying them to pursue representing employees.

The Commission has an Impasse and mediation coordinator who oversees and orchestrates federally provided mediators and private employed arbitrators to resolve impasses in labor negotiations.