Arbitrating Collective Bargaining Agreement Issues with Police and Fire during COVID-19

CLE available to Kitchen Sink Subscribers and in some cases to others but fees may apply.

Description: This presentation will address arbitration with police and fire.  As part of the webinar, the discussion will include topics relating to recent issues relating to COVID-19, such as hazard pay, scheduling, shift exchanges, sick leave, and various grievances inspired by the pandemic; Zoom disciplinary proceedings due to Covid-19, and discussion regarding the recent “defund the Police” movement as it may affect Collective Bargaining.

Speakers: Rebecca Hayward & Robin Cross

Rebecca S. Hayward is a Partner in Denton, Navarro, Rocha, Bernal & Zech P.C.  Mrs. Hayward is a 2011 graduate of Ave Maria School of Law and a 2008 graduate of Texas A&M International University where she received a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences Degree. Rebecca practices in state and federal court,  representing governmental entities and public officials. Her practice involves defending governmental employers in labor and employment issues including Whistleblower Act, First Amendment, due process, FMLA, and discrimination and harassment claims made pursuant to Title VII, ADEA, ADA and state laws. She also defends governmental entities in federal civil rights claims, state law tort claims and takings claims. Rebecca also represents governmental entities as both general and special projects counsel, including advising cities and other local governmental entities on employment, planning and land use, and open government issues. She represents cities in collective bargaining negotiations with Fire and Police unions, and represents Fire and Police department heads in all aspects of the Texas Civil Service Act, including contested disciplinary proceedings and litigation of civil service issues.

Roberta “Robin” Cross currently works as the Township Attorney for The Woodlands Township, Texas. She has over eighteen years’ experience working for local governments and was recognized as an IMLA Fellow in 2013. She has also worked as in-house counsel for a police labor union and for the EEOC, as a trial attorney. She is licensed to practice in Texas and admitted all of its federal courts, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court. She has been Board-certified in Labor and Employment Law since 1992 by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She was appointed as Vice-President of IMLA’s Personnel Section in the fall of 2015. She enjoys employment law, among other things, because “you can’t make this stuff up.”