Public Case No. R 1992-015
Missouri Federation of Teachers, AFT, AFL-CIO v.
Springfield R-12 School District, Springfield, Missouri
MFT filed a petition for certification as public employee representative for all Security and Safety Officers employed by the Springfield R-12 School District. The School District made three (3) arguments against the proposed unit. First, they claimed that the Security Officers were police and therefore excluded from the Board’s jurisdiction. The Board found that the Security Officers were not police because they did not perform the traditional functions of police officers, did not make arrests, and did not carry weapons.
Second, the School District argued that it would be against public policy to allow MFT to represent Security Guards, since they may have potentially also represent other employees against whom Security Guards may have to enforce rules. The Board rejected this argument noting (1) MFT did not represent any other workers in the School District; (2) if they did, they would be in another bargaining unit; and (3) MFT already does represent Security Guards in other districts.
Finally, the School District argued that the Investigator position should be excluded, since it was supervisory. The Board applied the supervisory criteria and concluded that the Investigator position did not meet the guidelines. Even though the Investigator was paid more than other Security Officers and was in charge of the department when the director was absent, the Board concluded that his supervisory role was limited to activities rather than employees. The Board issued and order directing an election.