Oregon Correction Workers Win Court Case

Oregon Department of Corrections workers have won a ruling in an unfair labor practice claim over sick leave.

An administrative law judge found the department had violated state law when it implemented a policy to curtail employees from using sick leave without pay if supervisors disagreed.

Prison officials issued a policy in March that allowed supervisors to monitor and review sick leave with employees who showed questionable patterns of leave, such as repeated time off.

The policy also allowed supervisors to place employees on a "staff attendance improvement plan" that could lead to discipline, including firing.

But the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees - the union that represents some prison workers - argued the policy violated collective bargaining rules that say any changes must be negotiated.